Rumor: 2022-2022 Trade Rumors and Free Agency Part 14: Sakic goes back to bed

[redacted]

Only 8 goalies make $6M though (a couple others sniff that number; Grubauer at $5.9 and Quick at $5.8).

I think Campbell is a fine goalie, but he doesn't have much of a track record and had a down second half. Does someone really give him the Markstrom contract?

It’s the new standard for starters… you can compare from 5-6 years ago, you have to look at past couple

Binnington 6 aav x 6 years
Grubauer 5.9 aav x 6 years
Merzlikins 5.4 aav x 5 years
Markstrom 6 aav x 6 years
Lehner 5 aav x 5 years (he's been pretty outspoken on what cost him money

Then down to the injury prone, but talented guys:
Ullmark 5 aav x 4 years
Andersen 4.5 aav x 2 years
Mrazek 3.8 aav x 3 years
Raanta 2.0 aav x 2 years
Bernier 4.125 aav x 2 years

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Continuing the discussion from the Montreal boards...

Am I out to lunch thinking that EJ would be likely to sign an extension with a severe pay cut? He has been with the Avs for 10 years, about to win the cup. He's made a good amount of money as well. He probably understands his belongs to the bottom pairing or maybe 4th D as an emergency at this point. I don't think it's unreasonable to think he would like to continue playing hockey for the Avs for say 1,5-2m.

If he has another good healthy season I certainly see him re-signing one-year contracts for 2M or less.

 

[redacted]

Moving EJ helps for next season, but they need his money to sign MacKinnon and Byram in 23-24.

First, we know EJ isn’t moving. Second, winning a second cup should be more of the priority. Third, there are ways to wiggle if you’re willing.

 

[Richard88]

Could a package put together from a selection of COL 2023 1st, Girard, Newhook, and/or any other prospects be able to land Dubois?

 

[Andrew Wiggin]

The way this is phrased is interesting. Hearing he has decided to return (not retire?). "Likely" so not definitively on a one year deal with the Bruins. So you're telling me there's a chance

 

[John Mandalorian]

How about a solid, give EJ a front office job to retire. Sure he leaves money on the table but it could give him 10 more years plus with the team. I know its a stretch and probably impractical but would be great to keep all the others if this could happen.

Is there something in the rules specifically precluding Johnson from retiring and the Avs give him a fluss/ambassador role where he can make the 6 million over 1-3 years?

Or is there a period of time that Johnson must wait until accepts a role with the organization as a non-player?

The way this is phrased is interesting. Hearing he has decided to return (not retire?). "Likely" so not definitively on a one year deal with the Bruins. So you're telling me there's a chance

The interesting thing about that is the ambiguity about the term. He's hearing he has decided to return. That's affirmation not modified by a "might" or "is likely". The indefinite part is the term. It might be 1 year or maybe more. It's strange to choose between retiring and a multi-year deal. It kind of doesn't make sense.

 

[Murzu]

So Bergeron will be an Av by the next deadline. So be it.

 

[LOFIN]

Moving EJ helps for next season, but they need his money to sign MacKinnon and Byram in 23-24.

MacKinnon is probably, at least should be, the #1 priority this offseason. You don't wait around, you get the deal signed ASAP. Very likely they've had discussions for a while now. When that is settled, you then know what you can or can't do around the cap.

If he has another good healthy season I certainly see him re-signing one-year contracts for 2M or less.

Precisely, and he's the kind of guy you would almost have to keep around if the ask isn't stupid. If EJ still thinks he can be a top-4 D and get above 4mil, then you let him go. But let's say he signs for 3x3, I would probably take that. It's rich and I think it should be less, but I'm willing to pay extra for his presence in the room.

But hopefully EJ realizes that he's in a good place and instead of making bigger cash he can stay on a cup contending team.

Is there something in the rules specifically precluding Johnson from retiring and the Avs give him a fluss/ambassador role where he can make the 6 million over 1-3 years?

Or is there a period of time that Johnson must wait until accepts a role with the organization as a non-player?

Didn't Panthers pretty much do this with Luongo? The question is, why? EJ is still absolutely a solid third pairing guy in the least, and a great guy in the locker room. If he accepts a severe paycut, you absolutely re-sign him. I'm pretty sure he himself realizes he's not going to get above 4mil, at least with the Avs.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Didn't Panthers pretty much do this with Luongo? The question is, why? EJ is still absolutely a solid third pairing guy in the least, and a great guy in the locker room. If he accepts a severe paycut, you absolutely re-sign him. I'm pretty sure he himself realizes he's not going to get above 4mil, at least with the Avs.

Yeah, he's all of those nice things you said. However, there's a lot of tread on those tires. He has a contract through next year. Is he only sticking around because of that but would otherwise prefer to retire and let his aching bones rest? If so, maybe the Avs can help him with that while freeing up space?

If you gave an over/under of him playing at least 50 games next year, probably over or nearly half of Avs fans would take the under. This was a good year where his role was lessened and they lightened his load. But a year older? Even with a lessened role, there could be challenges staying healthy. And it's one thing to keep an aging player around at that cap hit but if he's not on the ice?

For him to take a pay cut would require sticking around beyond next year. That's hardly a given.

But maybe JS sees it differently?

 

[AllAboutAvs]

MacKinnon is probably, at least should be, the #1 priority this offseason. You don't wait around, you get the deal signed ASAP. Very likely they've had discussions for a while now. When that is settled, you then know what you can or can't do around the cap.

Precisely, and he's the kind of guy you would almost have to keep around if the ask isn't stupid. If EJ still thinks he can be a top-4 D and get above 4mil, then you let him go. But let's say he signs for 3x3, I would probably take that. It's rich and I think it should be less, but I'm willing to pay extra for his presence in the room.

But hopefully EJ realizes that he's in a good place and instead of making bigger cash he can stay on a cup contending team.


Didn't Panthers pretty much do this with Luongo? The question is, why? EJ is still absolutely a solid third pairing guy in the least, and a great guy in the locker room. If he accepts a severe paycut, you absolutely re-sign him. I'm pretty sure he himself realizes he's not going to get above 4mil, at least with the Avs.

Even if he has a great healthy season next year I would not re-sign EJ for more than one-year contract at the time considering his age an injury history.

 

[Islay1989]

Could a package put together from a selection of COL 2023 1st, Girard, Newhook, and/or any other prospects be able to land Dubois?

Give me a break with that kind of return for a guy hell-bent on testing FA.

 

[Ararana]

Nah. I’ve seen enough from PLD to know he ain’t a guy you build around.

And he already said he wants to test the market so I don’t think I’d trade for him.

That's not really building around PLD though. He's a secondary piece in Colorado at best when it comes to how good and deep the Avs core already is. Similar to Nuke if the manage to extend him.

I'd trade a Girard package for PLD in a heartbeat. He's exactly the kind of center you'd hope to get for Girard and his team friendly contract.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

That's not really building around PLD though. He's a secondary piece in Colorado at best when it comes to how good and deep the Avs core already is. Similar to Nuke if the manage to extend him.

I'd trade a Girard package for PLD in a heartbeat. He's exactly the kind of center you'd hope to get for Girard and his team friendly contract.

My only concern with Dubois is that he's shown a tendency to quit whenever things don't go his way. He quit in the QMJHL, he quit on CBus, he's quitting on Winnipeg. Last thing we need is a shitty character to throw some toxicity into a close locker room

 

[Ararana]

My only concern with Dubois is that he's shown a tendency to quit whenever things don't go his way. He quit in the QMJHL, he quit on CBus, he's quitting on Winnipeg. Last thing we need is a shitty character to throw some toxicity into a close locker room

I get that, and honestly I share that worry. PLD is a great talent though, if Sakic and the core are comfortable enough to do it, he's a perfect fit talent and style wise. He just needs to leave his baggage in the past.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I get that, and honestly I share that worry. PLD is a great talent though, if Sakic and the core are comfortable enough to do it, he's a perfect fit talent and style wise. He just needs to leave his baggage in the past.

Oh, definitely. When there were rumours that he wanted out of CBus I really wanted Sakic to go after him. Similar to how I wanted Sakic to go after Eichel. It's always smart to inquire about high level talent. However, the more I think about it, the more I think one of the strengths of this team is how everyone wants to be here. There's something weird and toxic in Winnipeg, you hear a lot about how their top guys (Wheeler and Scheifele in particular) may not be the best leaders.

This is all speculation though. For all we know Dubois is a perfect teammate and his reasons for wanting to leave have been perfectly legitimate and well understood by his teammates. Maybe the Avs acquire him and all you hear about him is that he's the perfect teammate and professional.

 

[flyfysher]

However, the more I think about it, the more I think one of the strengths of this team is how everyone wants to be here.

I'm glad guys like Panarin, Hall, Eichel and Giroux are NOT playing for the Avs for that very reason. Not everyone has the talent, skill or character to be an Avs player.

If the Avs win the SCF, I think that makes Colorado a lot more attractive as an organization and destination.

 

[Ararana]

Oh, definitely. When there were rumours that he wanted out of CBus I really wanted Sakic to go after him. Similar to how I wanted Sakic to go after Eichel. It's always smart to inquire about high level talent. However, the more I think about it, the more I think one of the strengths of this team is how everyone wants to be here. There's something weird and toxic in Winnipeg, you hear a lot about how their top guys (Wheeler and Scheifele in particular) may not be the best leaders.

This is all speculation though. For all we know Dubois is a perfect teammate and his reasons for wanting to leave have been perfectly legitimate and well understood by his teammates. Maybe the Avs acquire him and all you hear about him is that he's the perfect teammate and professional.

It's no surprise that Winnipeg and Columbus might both be in the top 4 undesirable locations for NHL players. I'd be more concerned if he was pulling this shit elsewhere.

 

[Pokecheque]

That's not really building around PLD though. He's a secondary piece in Colorado at best when it comes to how good and deep the Avs core already is. Similar to Nuke if the manage to extend him.

I'd trade a Girard package for PLD in a heartbeat. He's exactly the kind of center you'd hope to get for Girard and his team friendly contract.

First off I don't think that's anywhere NEAR enough to convince Kevin Cheveldayoff to trade Dubois to a division rival.

But...secondly, I just don't like PLD.

 

[Ararana]

First off I don't think that's anywhere NEAR enough to convince Kevin Cheveldayoff to trade Dubois to a division rival.

But...secondly, I just don't like PLD.

lol, fair enough.

 

[Pokecheque]

lol, fair enough.

Let me put it this way: Avs fans have made a pastime of slagging Matt Duchene but even he showed up to play and gave it his all every night. I'd argue he was one of their best players, if not VERY best player, during that early stretch (before MacKinnon exploded of course).

Dubois didn't.

 

[flyfysher]

Let me put it this way: Avs fans have made a pastime of slagging Matt Duchene but even he showed up to play and gave it his all every night. I'd argue he was one of their best players, if not VERY best player, during that early stretch (before MacKinnon exploded of course).

Dubois didn't.

I don't follow the Peg or PLD. However, Nuke didn't produce for the Stars. Sakic and JB gave him a chance and the rest is history.

 

[Vaslof]

Could a package put together from a selection of COL 2023 1st, Girard, Newhook, and/or any other prospects be able to land Dubois?

Too much for 2 years of Dubois. That's like reverse-Duchene. If we can get him cheaper he would probably be the best option available for 2C.

 

[Forceberg]

So you think that UFA Mack will sign for less than RFA Rantanen?

I know it is all about money for the players. But also as a team perspective. Thats all i am saying.
If he wants 12m and north, i would rather trade him and there is plenty of time to get a good trade done.

 

[Balthazar]

I know it is all about money for the players. But also as a team perspective. Thats all i am saying.
If he wants 12m and north, i would rather trade him and there is plenty of time to get a good trade done.

That's why I said earlier in the thread that if we were to trade for Barzal this offseason and he's back to having 1C numbers then I'd be willing to extend him at like 8M and let Mack walk at the end of next year to extend our window until the end of Makar's contract.

 

[Balthazar]

Losing Mack for nothing would suck but to have a talent like Makar in his prime + Rants still in his prime + Byram coming up and being unable to compete because Mack is making 12.5M would suck more.

Can't let him walk if we don't have another 1C of course...but if we were to get a middle of the road 1C for ~8M a year Sakic has to think about it.

PS: No team in the cap era has won the cup with a player making 10M+ on the roster and it's easy to understand why when we're currently watching our depth carrying us deep in the playoffs.