On memorial day, we take a minute to remember the year that Cody McLeod.



Season stats:
Playoff stats: six GP, no points
Nicknames: Highlander, Cody Mac attack
Contract status: two years left on his contract making a $1 million

Cody McLeod is a player in need of defining his role. Last year he was a gritty scorer. The year before he was just a grit heart-and-sole guy. This year he tried to be both.

McLeod was doing really well in the season until he got that stick to the eye, an injury which kept him out about two weeks.

That injury seemed to truly scare McLeod. When he came back, he didn't go for the puck or hit like he used to and I'm not sure he truly recovered through the year.

McLeod needs to be an Ian Laperriere type energy, going around hitting guys, punishing the puck carrier and standing up for teammates.

McLeod might be able to score 15 a year but not much more. You ask for him to be more of an intangibles guy than a numbers guy.

However, McLeod is a leader on and off the ice. Earlier this year when the Avs were struggling against Anaheim, McLeod got into a fight and while on his way to the penalty box was yelling at his teammates to wake up.

Overall McLeod was off this season but proved that needs a letter on his jersey and put into a true blue leadership role.

Highlight of the year

McLeod's highlights don't come on video. The first is the fight mentioned above. The second is McLeod fighting a referee to attempt to get to Matt Duchene to protect him after Jamie McGinn was roughing him up.

2010-11 outlook

Next season, McLeod should be an effective fourth liner, maybe third liner, if he knows his role.

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