Derek Peltier is getting a little tired of this.
It’s starting to sound a little too patronizing, this sentiment that wins and losses don’t matter as much as whether the Avalanche sees “good things” out of recent rookie call-ups such as Peltier.
The former Minnesota Golden Gophers captain has played in six NHL games, all of them losses, and he’s losing patience.
“There’s no excuse. I’ve got to start contributing a bit more. I haven’t won a game yet up here, and that’s not much fun,” said Peltier, a defenseman.
Peltier is one of nine Avs who have made their NHL debuts this season, a team record. In the six games, he has zero points and is minus-5. Despite some encouraging words from coach Tony Granato about his play, as well as that of other rookies, Peltier knows the numbers aren’t good.
“I’ve got to play better,” he said. “The nerves are settling down, and I’m starting to feel more comfortable with these guys and that I can play with these guys. But I’ve just got to get better.”
Forward Chris Stewart, one of those nine rookies, is the wise old sage of the group, the guy some of the recent call- ups have looked to for guidance. He understands their frustrations.
“Guys like myself and other guys, we want a spot for next year. So you want to leave that lasting impression,” Stewart said. “We want to show them that we’ll battle for them, no matter what the score is or what place we’re in. It’s been tough lately. We haven’t won a game in a while. We’ve got to do whatever it takes to get out of this.”
Footnotes.
Winger Ryan Smyth is done for the season with a fractured right hand.
Smyth suffered the injury during the second period of Wednesday night’s game against the Coyotes at the Pepsi Center. He is the team’s leading scorer this season with 59 points (26 goals and 33 assists) in 77 games.
• Defenseman Adam Foote (head) has resumed skating. There is a chance he’ll play in one of the team’s final five games.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
