Year-End Review: Shawn Matthias

Shawn Matthias was acquired from the Maple Leafs on February 21st in a trade that has become more polarizing than it should have. The Avs gave up Colin Smith, who was having a down year in San Antonio and wasn’t in the org’s future plans, and a 4th round pick in this month’s amateur draft. The divisiveness comes from a few areas, some believe that the Avs shouldn’t try to acquire rental players at the deadline. Some believe mortgaging the future is a bad idea. Some believe giving up a prospect and a 4th rounder is overpayment for a bottom-6er.

No offense to Colin Smith here but his role in the trade was exclusively to open up a contract spot so Matthias could join the roster. I like draft…