Avs Talking Points: Is it time to bench J.T. Compher?

If there has been one nagging weakness on the Avs so far this season, in my opinion anyway, it’s been the production from the third line. For much of the season, two players have occupied two-thirds of the line – Valeri Nichushkin and J.T. Compher. Other linemates have come and gone. Now, Nichushkin is on the fourth line, but Compher remains, albeit at a right-winger with Tyson Jost now centering the line.

It may be time to give Compher a rest. None of the numbers he’s put up so far justify a top-9 role still. I’m not saying he should be permanently benched, but I am saying it might be time for Jared Bednar to give him the proverbial kick-in-the-pants that being a healthy scratch might provide – and be needed, for the good of him and the team right now.