Marek Svatos Placed on the Block by Colorado Avalanche: Too Little, Too Late

Marek Svatos, member of the Avalanche for the past six seasons, has been placed on the trading block according to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post.

This doesn't come as much of a surprise, but given that it's beginning to be discussed in the media, a trade involving Svatos is imminent, barring massive injuries that thrust him into a prominent role.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is mismanagement of assets 101: the reason the Avalanche finished dead last a year ago and the reason former Avalanche GM Francois Giguere is now working in the NCAA. 

Svatos had a great rookie season in 2006, which saw him score 32 goals, but his flaws—durability, puck possession, and defense—were evident.

As time passed, Svatos continued to be wildly inconsistent, scoring 15, 26, and then 14 goals in consecutive years following his 32-goal campaign.

Despite this inconsistency, Svatos was misidentified as part of the team's core group of players and signed two different contracts under Giguere's tenure as Avalanche GM.

Now we've come to the year 2010; Colorado has a new GM, and Svatos plays fourth line minutes when he actually cracks the lineup.

When Avalanche GM Greg Sherman trades him, it'll likely be for a marginal (fourth round or later) pick or an equally worthless player whose value has fallen considerably (hello, Christopher Higgins).

Therein lies the problem.

Back in 2007, the first year the Avalanche missed the playoffs, Svatos had a horrible season while missing his usual 15 to 20 games. Instead of maximizing the return and trading Svatos, still fresh off a 32-goal season, Giguere sunk with the ship, and the Avalanche sunk with him.

The stench of the Giguere era will live on in the contracts like Brett Clark, John-Michael Liles, and (yes) Paul Stastny, but the removal of Svatos from the roster will help continue turning the page into a new era for the Avalanche.