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

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Yeah, IIRC last year you were one of those people like JB that thought JTC had done a serviceable job at 2C against the VGK. Maybe you were looking at it with more than a coach's eye than someone like me who definitely doesn't know the game as well as you but I know a lot of knowledgeable people dislike having JTC play there. So the unspoken part of your analysis is, what are the options?

Would any of us really be okay with JTC playing 2C in the POs? If so, why (as compared to Newhook or Rantanen)?

If Nichushkin and Lehkonen are his wingers it could work. I also prefer JTC at Center over Newhook at this point in time. If something happens to Kadri(Suspension), I think I'd look at these lines honestly:


Landy - Mack - Mikko
Nuke - JTC - Lehkonen
Hook - Sturm - Burakovsky
LOC - Helm - Cogliano

 

[redacted]

Yeah, IIRC last year you were one of those people like JB that thought JTC had done a serviceable job at 2C against the VGK. Maybe you were looking at it with more than a coach's eye than someone like me who definitely doesn't know the game as well as you but I know a lot of knowledgeable people dislike having JTC play there. So the unspoken part of your analysis is, what are the options?

Would any of us really be okay with JTC playing 2C in the POs? If so, why (as compared to Newhook or Rantanen)?

Compher held his own surprisingly well in the series (relative term, but he's simply not good enough to roll in the playoffs. Against Vegas was just an oddity... a very good team that had very weak center depth. Compher can tread water there with good enough linemates, but against a team with actual center depth... he wouldn't hold up no matter who his linemates are.

 

[Pokecheque]

Bah, Compher didn't stick out especially poorly in that series, but he also didn't really produce at all either. It helped his case that guys like Jost and Burakovsky were ten times worse, thereby taking the focus off of him.

 

[redacted]

Bah, Compher didn't stick out especially poorly in that series, but he also didn't really produce at all either. It helped his case that guys like Jost and Burakovsky were ten times worse, thereby taking the focus off of him.

Yeah he just treaded water. Wasn't the reason the Avs lost, but also didn't really help the team either.

More or less though, I think the evidence is mounting that the Avs are not as keen with Newhook at center as the board. They've replaced him at 3C and Compher was option #1 when Kadri went out. Newhook will likely have opportunities to acquit himself again, but as it stands today... I don't think Newhook is one of the top options for 2C next year.

 

[Pokecheque]

Yeah he just treaded water. Wasn't the reason the Avs lost, but also didn't really help the team either.

More or less though, I think the evidence is mounting that the Avs are not as keen with Newhook at center as the board. They've replaced him at 3C and Compher was option #1 when Kadri went out. Newhook will likely have opportunities to acquit himself again, but as it stands today... I don't think Newhook is one of the top options for 2C next year.

Agreed. And frankly I think he'll be great as a winger for them.

 

[redacted]

Agreed. And frankly I think he'll be great as a winger for them.

I think Newhook can be a very good 2nd line wing. With the way scoring is trending in the NHL, a 25-35 guy wouldn't shock me at all.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Avs currently have $26.51M in estimated cap space this offseason, and a potential $9.5M more if Joe chooses to move on from EJ and JTC. I think they'll have enough to keep Nuke, Lehk, and DK, and find a 2C and a scoring winger that makes less than Bura does. Could even potentially trade away G's $5M in exchange for a 2C if it comes down to that.

One thing is for sure, this team will still be very good, but look very different next year.

 

[flyfysher]

Compher held his own surprisingly well in the series (relative term, but he's simply not good enough to roll in the playoffs. Against Vegas was just an oddity... a very good team that had very weak center depth. Compher can tread water there with good enough linemates, but against a team with actual center depth... he wouldn't hold up no matter who his linemates are.

Thanks for the reply. That's why I can't stand the fact that JB is penciling in JTC at 2C. Because JB will try it again and as you point out, against a team with actual center depth he simply won't hold up. It's the only area aside from player health that I think there's a real hole in the POs even over Burakovsky's at times inconsistent play.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Like others have said, I can see them buying low on FAs and possibly making one trade. I think they'll wan't to balance out the middle six with some offensive upside to complement what they have with Nichuskin and Lehkonen. I can see Copp or Stastny as FA targets. Or (and I've mentioned this before) I can see them targeting a buy low option in a trade (eg Zacha). If they go the FA route with C, I can see them doing a buy low trade (eg Kubalik).

 

[Gruyeriev]

Russians like Miami.

[edit...Or so I'm told.]

Brighton Beach is also popular

 

[S E P H]

Just say no to re-upping Burakovsky. Gotta find another solution.

Palat would be a brilliant and significant upgrade over him.

 

[redacted]

Palat would be a brilliant and significant upgrade over him.

Palat would be ideal... will get tough to find the money. Nuke, Lehk and Kuemper will take 15m between them. EJ won't be easy to get rid of... Compher easier, but salary would likely be coming back. Can't get tied into too many deals with term due to MacK's next deal.

I foresee the Avs going the route of trying to get guys on 1 year Cup runs... sadly Palat won't be a guy that does that.

 

[SaltySkywalker]

Yeah he just treaded water. Wasn't the reason the Avs lost, but also didn't really help the team either.

More or less though, I think the evidence is mounting that the Avs are not as keen with Newhook at center as the board. They've replaced him at 3C and Compher was option #1 when Kadri went out. Newhook will likely have opportunities to acquit himself again, but as it stands today... I don't think Newhook is one of the top options for 2C next year.

So our scouting at center sucks ass. Feels like every center we draft ends up better at wing than down the middle.

 

[Hasbro]

I also prefer JTC at Center over Newhook at this point in time.

 

[Balthazar]

I foresee the Avs going the route of trying to get guys on 1 year Cup runs

You need assets to do that.

As for Palat or any other 2nd line winger, I think Newhook can replace Bura. We'll need to find a 2C that isn't JTC though.

 

[flyfysher]

View attachment 529700

If the Avs weren’t chasing the President’s Cup then now would be the ideal time for JB to try Newhook at 2C. Like what do the Avs have to lose from trying it?

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I wouldn't mind seeing Landy play some center.
Nuke-Landy-Lehks could be just a relentless two-way line

Brighton Beach is also popular

I'm sorry...but this just went completely over my head. The only thing I know about Brighton Beach is that play/movie Matthew Broderick did.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I wouldn't mind seeing Landy play some center.
Nuke-Landy-Lehks could be just a relentless two-way line

That's a Live song.

I think I must be getting my wires crossed, but isn't the line "the Dolphin's always make me cry" from Only Wanna Be With You? I'm kinda going crazy, but did look up Hootie and the Blowfish and feel somewhat content.

Don't get me wrong, I remember Live and remember them fondly too...but I'm just not sure what song you were alluding too.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Don't be surprised if JTC starts the next season at 2C between Lehks and Nuke.

I'm dead serious, that's literally what they are doing right now without Kadri. Replace Bura with Landy and that could very well be the 2022-23 top 6.

That'd allow them to keep Girard + re-up Kuemper and Nuke.

If they went this option, it would be Newhook at 2C.

Btw, we need to stop acting like the Avs aren’t going to be able to form a strong roster with a top line/top 4 D already set, along with 24 to 30 million in cap space.

Of course they’re going to lose guys, but it’s not like this is a disastrous situation here.

 

[Pokecheque]

i was trying to remember all our failed drafted goalies over the years, but more so in the last 15 years or so..

in no particular order Tyler Weiman, Kent Patterson, Trevor Cann, Vitally Kolesnik, Sammy Aittikalio, Calvin Pickard, Shamil Shmakov, Trent Miner, Martin??? I’m drawing a blank on his last name. Anyone else I’m missing in the last 15 or so years?

Someone already mentioned Quackers, but also, Adam Werner.

I guess I just don't get the plan. It's like they didn't even try until they got Annunen, and now they aren't even playing him.

 

[Pokecheque]

I wouldn't mind seeing Landy play some center.
Nuke-Landy-Lehks could be just a relentless two-way line



I think I must be getting my wires crossed, but isn't the line "the Dolphin's always make me cry" from Only Wanna Be With You? I'm kinda going crazy, but did look up Hootie and the Blowfish and feel somewhat content.

Don't get me wrong, I remember Live and remember them fondly too...but I'm just not sure what song you were alluding too.

You should be banned from posting a Hootie song.

 

[MacKaRtin]

If they went this option, it would be Newhook at 2C.

Btw, we need to stop acting like the Avs aren’t going to be able to form a strong roster with a top line/top 4 D already set, along with 24 to 30 million in cap space.

Of course they’re going to lose guys, but it’s not like this is a disastrous situation here.

I mean, during the off-season and at the beginning of this season, there were some posters who were thinking we were in danger of missing the playoffs because we lost secondary scoring in Saad and Donskoi. Never underestimate this board's ability to panic and make mountains out of molehills.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

You should be banned from posting a Hootie song.

Please let me make up for it....

This isn't Hootie, but it is Darius talking about seeing the Black Crowes and then trying to write She Talks to Angels for Bonnie Raitt....and the result was Let Her Cry.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

You should be banned from posting a Hootie song.

Nobody, should ever be banned for posting a Hootie song.

 

[Pokecheque]

Nobody, should ever be banned for posting a Hootie song.