SAN JOSE, Calif. — Matt Hunwick, whose play after coming to the Avalanche from Boston left fans unhappy, has been much better of late.
“It’s funny what some confidence can do for you,” the defenseman said Tuesday morning. “I think it took a bit to figure some things out and adjust, but lately I’ve been feeling like I’m contributing more out there.”
Hunwick had points in four of his past eight games entering Tuesday’s game against the Sharks. He’d been a plus-1 in his past six games.
He still hasn’t had the kind of season he or either of his two teams wanted, with only one goal and 10 points and a minus-5 in 59 games. In 2008-09 with Boston, Hunwick had 27 points in 53 games and was plus-15.
“Obviously, I’d like to have better scoring numbers and overall stats,” he said. “But I feel like if I keep playing the way I have, they’ll come. I have to focus most on being responsible in my own end first too.”
Hunwick’s contract is up after this season and he can be a restricted free agent July 1. He is making $1.45 million this season.
“Colorado obviously would retain my rights. I’ve enjoyed Denver to play in and the organization has been great, so we’ll see what happens,” Hunwick said.
Footnotes.
Avs captain Adam Foote skated Tuesday but was held out of the game because of a leg injury. . . . Brandon Yip was the lone healthy scratch for Colorado. . . . Colorado winger Tomas Fleischmann, sidelined because of a pulmonary embolism, has been working out at the Avalanche’s facilities and is doing well. . . . Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle and forward Ben Eager missed the game with upper-body injuries.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
