For the NHL’s Avalanche, the answer came from the American Hockey League.
The question in the middle of February was: Where will the Avs go to find help on defense?
Albany, N.Y., was where, and it cost the Avs nothing to get Jeff Finger – other than paying him a minimum NHL salary. Who knew?
“He’s been real good for us,” Avalanche coach Joel Quenne- ville said.
How good? In 16 games for the Avalanche since being called up from the Albany River Rats, Finger is a plus-10. That is the second-best number on the team. Granted, plus-minus can be a misleading statistic, but there is no denying the 28-year-old native of Houghton, Mich., has been a great find for the Avalanche.
“It’s been unbelievable,” said Finger, who played at St. Cloud State. “It’s been better than I imagined, being here, playing in the NHL. It’s a dream come true. I just have to take it a day at a time, though, and not get too far ahead of myself.”
Quenneville could have a tough decision to make tonight, if veteran Karlis Skrastins is ready to return to the Avalanche defense against Vancouver. All six current Avs defensemen are playing well right now, so sitting someone such as Finger would be tough.
However, he is the rookie of the bunch. Finger would be in no hurry to pout about it. He’s having too much fun experiencing the NHL life, which for now includes living in a posh room at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek and dining at places such as Elway’s Steakhouse many nights, often with fellow rookie Ben Guite – who has the same accommodations.
“It was a struggle to get here,” Finger said. “I was in the minors for a few years. I’m at a pretty high age to be a rookie. I know that’s why I won’t take anything for granted. I’ve seen the other side for a long time, and right now I’m just enjoying all this. I want to work as hard as I can to keep it that way.”
Finger says he’ll always have to “keep it real simple” to keep succeeding at the NHL level. He plays mostly a stay-at-home game, but has three points and has shown the ability to make a good outlet pass from his own zone.
“He’s got some good puck awareness,” Quenneville said. “It’s been a real good boost for us, what he’s given us. We lost ‘Scratch’ (Skrastins) and (Jordan Leopold) to injuries, and (Finger has) stepped in and done a real nice job for us.”
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
