Observations:

May 2016 – Hishon has decided to play in Finland next season rather than stay in North America where he likely wouldn've had to settle for another AHL job. In 63 games this season (his healthiest in some time), he managed a respectable 43 points. He is on the path to fantasy irrelevance, but still has the skill to earn another brief shot down the road. Hayden Soboleski

February 2016 – Hishon has returned from injury with six points in six games. Remaining healthy for the rest of the season will be critical towards his chances of earning a contract this off-season, as his good production for most of this year has shown the value hidden on IR far too often. Hayden Soboleski

January 2016 – Hishon has battled various upper-body injuries this month, missing several games and is currently out of the line-up. This bodes very poorly for his chances of getting called-up, which likely would have happened, if only briefly, before his contract expires this spring. Hayden Soboleski

January 2016 – Hishon recently scored his tenth goal of the season, giving him 25 points in 35 games this season. Staying healthy has been an enormous step forward for the oft-injured centerman, and if he remains a consistant figure in the lineup he is likely to be called-up before the end of the season, as the Avalanche will need to test him before his contract expires this spring. Hayden Soboleski

September 2015 – Hishon has been assigned to the AHL to start the 2015-16 season. He was expected to compete for a bottom-six role with the Avalanche this season, but the deeper talent pool made this a tough task. Hishon should receive ample playing time in San Antonio, and willl likely be high on the list for injury-necessitated call-ups throughout the season. Hayden Soboleski

May 2015 – After scoring 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 53 games in the AHL, Hishon was called up to the Avalanche for the remainder of the season. He promptly injured his neck (missed one game) and then elbow (missed five games), finishing the season with 13 NHL games and two points (one goal, one assist). Injuries continue to hinder Hishon’s development, but his extended look with the Avalanche this season is a positive reminder that the team still thinks highly of his potential. Hayden Soboleski

September 2013 – Joey Hishon suffers from a groin injury, forcing him to have missed all of training camp so far. Hishon a promising forward has suffered some significant concussion issues over his career and hope for his NHL career is dwindling. A groin injury during camp is a major setback for anyone hoping to see Hishon in an NHL sweater. Up to this point injuries has seriously stalled Hishon's career. Andrew Ward

March 2013 – Joey Hishon scored his first pro goal and added an assist for his first multipoint game as a pro against the Chicago Wolves March 29th. In five games played Hishon has tallied one goal and two assists. Hishon had missed 22 months of play after a blindside head shot from Brayden McNabb, before finally returning to the ice and making his AHL debut March 19th for The Lake Erie Monsters. With the Avalanche out of playoff contention, don't expect a call up for Hishon unless there are significant injuries to the big club. Andrew Ward

March 2013 – Joey Hishon has joined Lake Erie as of March 12th and is traveling with the team on their upcoming road trip, Hishon has missed over 20 months with concussion like symptoms and has yet to play in the AHL. There is still no word on whether Hishon has been taking much contact but his traveling with the team is a good indication of his progress. Hishon has great fantasy upside if he can get on the ice and is one of the few bright spots in the Avalanche farm system. He has a deadly fast and accurate shot and has great passing and puck possession skill. Hishon plays an extremely aggressive and physical game and would benefit from adding some bulk to his frame, he also needs to work on the way he takes hits, or rather avoiding hard hits, and keeping his head up. The only other knock against Hishon would be his size but in the modern NHL this is becoming less and less of an issue with guys like Patrick Kane, Crosby, and Matt Duchene as examples. Its wise to be extremely cautious here as Hishon has yet to see any in game ice time, and he has suffered quite a few setbacks since being drafted in 2010. If anything, this is a step in the right direction for Hishon, a talented player who will do well at the NHL level. Andrew Ward

December 2011 – Although the Avalanche deserve props for identifying and selecting diminutive talent Joey Hishon 17th at the 2010 Draft despite only appearing in 36 contests, sometimes players miss games because they’re just prone to missing them. First, it was an injured hand. Now, concussion-like symptoms have put Hishon on the shelf indefinitely. Blessed with big skill and big heart, once the 5’10 center returns, Hishon may want to re-consider just how aggressive he plays. Matthew Bugg

Fantasy Outlook: C

Enough talent to be an NHLer, but he has opted for Europe after injuries pounded his fantasy value and general outlook.

Footage:

Hishon goal from 2010:

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