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

[Gruyeriev]

Naw. I hate how the Rangers handled him (especially that moron Quinn) but no, don’t get Lias. Let him try to catch on with a rebuilding club or head back to Sweden. The latter will happen sooner rather than later.

People need to quit latching onto every reclamation project out there just because one of them ended up being Nichushkin. More often than not they end up being more like Yakupov, Cowen, Colborne…

So true. Remember Jordan Carron? I think Nuke and to some degree Graves are the exceptions. More often than not they don’t work out.

 

[Balthazar]

There is no UFA that I want as a 2C.

Sam Girard needs to be the piece that's moved this summer in order to try finding that 2C.

Fine but who has a top 6 center on the block and wants Girard in return?

 

[Gruyeriev]

Unless Nichushkin walks, I just don't know how Colorado affords a player like that.

Once Sakic gets the starting goalie and RFA situations straightened out, he probably has enough money left over for one big stab in free agency (or via trade). But with Kadri on his way out the door, I have to imagine Sakic goes after a center with that money.

I could maybe see Sakic squeezing in a 3rd line winger, but I'm not sure. I think cap wise, Colorado is where Toronto is: stars and scrubs. Hopefully Joe can find Nichushkin 2.0 in free agency.

Yeah it would be tough. If EJs money covers Mack and we lose Kadri and Bura and replace the winger cheap or with an ELC then maybe. It also depends how well Bo and Newhook do in the playoffs and next year. I’m hoping Nuke recognizes that he is a good fit here and wants to stay. There is no guarantee he fits well with another team or is used right.

 

[Gruyeriev]

Fine but who has a top 6 center on the block and wants Girard in return?

It’s a good question. I feel like a bigger heavier team could shelter him a bit better but I have no idea who that would be. Sammy G for Robert Thomas? Lol. Doubtful

 

[Freaky Styley]

It’s a good question. I feel like a bigger heavier team could shelter him a bit better but I have no idea who that would be. Sammy G for Robert Thomas? Lol. Doubtful

lol. more like no chance. That's the only thing, not a lot of 2Cs out there for the picking, which is why I brought up Toews earlier. And just speaking to the Toews thing, he is coming off a year that he took completely off and is forced to be the 1C in CHI. He still has gas in the tank for a sheltered, lower paid role. And all those intangibles

I think Chi would be a good fit for Girard actually, but it would have to be in a package for Kane, or for Dach. The latter also being very unlikely. LA is a good trading partner for us but have a lot of undersized puck movers already,
A NYI deal for Pageau maybe with a significant + on their side, perhaps Granlund if Glass is ready to take the next step (or Glass),

The options are pretty thin. If he becomes available, Horvat is the top choice. But it would be hard to imagine they'd want Girard with Hughes and OEL already on the roster. A lot changes in the offseason though, so maybe more options open up, or a 3way deal is made.

Something like Toews @50% + Kubalik for something like Girard + Ranta might be our best option. Only add about 4M in salary while getting a 2C and replacing Burakovsky.
EDIT: depending on what contract Kubalik signs for. But also gives us an option to re-sign Toews at a discount if he fits in, and Kubalik can get a 1-2 yr 'prove it' contract, to address the holes and leave us with important contract flexibility going forward.

All this being said, I don't see them moving Girard until Behrens proves he's ready.

 

[Gruyeriev]

lol. more like no chance. That's the only thing, not a lot of 2Cs out there for the picking, which is why I brought up Toews earlier. And just speaking to the Toews thing, he is coming off a year that he took completely off and is forced to be the 1C in CHI. He still has gas in the tank for a sheltered, lower paid role. And all those intangibles

I think Chi would be a good fit for Girard actually, but it would have to be in a package for Kane, or for Dach. The latter also being very unlikely. LA is a good trading partner for us but have a lot of undersized puck movers already,
A NYI deal for Pageau maybe with a significant + on their side, perhaps Granlund if Glass is ready to take the next step (or Glass),

The options are pretty thin. If he becomes available, Horvat is the top choice. But it would be hard to imagine they'd want Girard with Hughes and OEL already on the roster. A lot changes in the offseason though, so maybe more options open up, or a 3way deal is made.

Something like Toews @50% + Kubalik for something like Girard + Ranta might be our best option. Only add about 4M in salary while getting a 2C and replacing Burakovsky.
EDIT: depending on what contract Kubalik signs for. But also gives us an option to re-sign Toews at a discount if he fits in, and Kubalik can get a 1-2 yr 'prove it' contract, to address the holes and leave us with important contract flexibility going forward.

All this being said, I don't see them moving Girard until Behrens proves he's ready.

Oh you thought I meant this guy?

I meant this guy…

 

[Bone Breaker]

if we are really set on trading for a 2C, I hope Sakic calls first and foremost the Devils. they could settle down for one of Mcleod or Zacha, but the guy there to be had is Sharangovich, imo. already threw his name here iirc. not a sexy name but he fits just so nicely... young, cost controlled, has size, good shot, speed... with or without Bura there, I think he would be the perfect piece.

 

[AvsMakar08]

Stop giving me false hope guys, I don't want to be disappointed.

Who are we trading for the 2C? Girard? Byram?

Byram will most likely be our next Captain in like 4 or 5 years. Why would you want to trade him for a 2C?

 

[Pokecheque]

Trading Girard really isn’t an option under present circumstances, especially now that the Avs traded away their two most NHL-ready prospects. Take him away, and Byram gets injured again, then it’s the top pairing and whatever scrubs they have filling out the depth chart following this season. Behrens is at least a year away if not longer.

I know people don’t want to read this, but you don’t trade G as part of a package for a 2C, you trade Byram. G is the guy signed to what is still a value contract, he’s the more proven player, and unfortunately, Byram’s concussion history has to be taken into account as far has his long-term prognostications.

Frankly I’d rather they trade neither, but options will be limited this summer.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Trading Girard really isn’t an option under present circumstances, especially now that the Avs traded away their two most NHL-ready prospects. Take him away, and Byram gets injured again, then it’s the top pairing and whatever scrubs they have filling out the depth chart following this season. Behrens is at least a year away if not longer.

I know people don’t want to read this, but you don’t trade G as part of a package for a 2C, you trade Byram. G is the guy signed to what is still a value contract, he’s the more proven player, and unfortunately, Byram’s concussion history has to be taken into account as far has his long-term prognostications.

Frankly I’d rather they trade neither, but options will be limited this summer.

Yep, but boy people do not want to hear it Byram would also get us a pretty high end 2C as well. Someone like Barzal.


That said, I'm also in agreement that we shouldn't trade either of them if we can avoid it. Honestly I'd move Newhook before either of them at this point, if he's not a solution at 2C long term(And I'm not sure he is, seems like he's on his way to being a winger) then that's a good trade chip for a 2C.


Personally I would either sign Trocheck in free agency(Hard to find a better fit for our needs from a 2C then Trocheck), or Copp if he makes it, or pay up for a year of JT Miller this summer.

 

[Vaslof]

Byram will most likely be our next Captain in like 4 or 5 years. Why would you want to trade him for a 2C?

I don't.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

I just think a defenceman like Byram is more likely to help you win in the playoffs than Girard, which is why it would be an easy call on which one to move.

Mind you, I will say that Byram’s defensive game has not returned to where it was to start the season yet. That’s something to keep an eye on, but he’s a lot more dynamic than Girard.

I do worry about moving on from Girard after a bad season because his value can’t be that high right now and he’s likely to be better next year. He’s clearly not skating like his usual self. I don’t know why that is, but if he gets back to his normal level of elusiveness, he’s a lot more valuable.

 

[Avsfan1921]

Trading Girard really isn’t an option under present circumstances, especially now that the Avs traded away their two most NHL-ready prospects. Take him away, and Byram gets injured again, then it’s the top pairing and whatever scrubs they have filling out the depth chart following this season. Behrens is at least a year away if not longer.

I know people don’t want to read this, but you don’t trade G as part of a package for a 2C, you trade Byram. G is the guy signed to what is still a value contract, he’s the more proven player, and unfortunately, Byram’s concussion history has to be taken into account as far has his long-term prognostications.

Frankly I’d rather they trade neither, but options will be limited this summer.

I’d rather keep both as well and find another alternative as I believe this teams success is tied to how well the defence plays. This team as constructed needs a deep blueline built for transition to be successful. Girard and Byram are both great at this and both have room for growth as well.

I’ve always been a big Byram supporter and was advocating for him to play if healthy last playoffs (I still think he should have played). He hasn’t been the rock he was since returning from injury but he’s still been a very positive asset in my view.

Girard has struggled compared to last year, and we all know he has yet to play at the level expected of him in the playoffs, but I still think that aspect is massively overblown here. Last game for instance, he was getting hit all game but fought through it just fine even though every time he got touched people kept rehashing that he’s too soft. If he struggles this playoffs I’d probably consider him over Byram for a trade, if absolutely needed, as I think his value would be higher due to health and Byrams elc.

We survived the last few years with JTC having spot duty as 2c. Last year, Kadri was very inconsistent. Bura would be punted to the moon if this board had its way… the second line has been hot and cold since the creation of time and the reason we’ve overcame it is because our defence adds so much support and they are a highly skilled group able to help with transition and cycle, while also playing solid defence. I’d hope they don’t stray too far from this model in its current state.

Try your best to get a guy you think needs an opportunity or someone that you believed can have a bounce back year, but don’t trade Girard or Byram unless you get a guy that can carry a second line. Money is tight but don’t forget what got you to where you are now, and the second line is less important than the defensive makeup of this team imo.

 

[dahrougem2]

Trading Girard really isn’t an option under present circumstances, especially now that the Avs traded away their two most NHL-ready prospects. Take him away, and Byram gets injured again, then it’s the top pairing and whatever scrubs they have filling out the depth chart following this season. Behrens is at least a year away if not longer.

I know people don’t want to read this, but you don’t trade G as part of a package for a 2C, you trade Byram. G is the guy signed to what is still a value contract, he’s the more proven player, and unfortunately, Byram’s concussion history has to be taken into account as far has his long-term prognostications.

Frankly I’d rather they trade neither, but options will be limited this summer.

If Bo Byram shows he can survive these Stanley Cup playoffs that is going to do a lot to quell the health concerns IMO.

I think it's a given that if he stays healthy, Byram is going to end up the vastly superior player when compared to Girard. You move G, not Bo.

 

[Balthazar]

The point of moving G for a C is you get 5M relief on the cap to pay the other guy.

You wouldn't get that with Byram, of course.

That said, I don't see any team with a 2C on the trade block. Top 6 centers are hard to find.

 

[AvsCOL]

delete

 

[Balthazar]

With Chychrun openly on the market, it will make it even more difficult to swap G for a 2C.

Yotes are also looking for a top 6 C in return.

 

[Pokecheque]

If Bo Byram shows he can survive these Stanley Cup playoffs that is going to do a lot to quell the health concerns IMO.

I think it's a given that if he stays healthy, Byram is going to end up the vastly superior player when compared to Girard. You move G, not Bo.

IF he stays healthy, yes, he's better. And if he makes it through these playoffs that's a huge step forward.

However, concussions are a tricky beast. I view him health-wise the same I view a guy like Ondrej Kase. There's always going to be that concern no matter what.

All this said, it's not like Sammy has been the picture of health the last two years. He was for most of last season until that goddamned toolbag La'Bank cheapshotted him. This year I think he had lingering issues all damned year. I say wait until next year, then we'll see if this year was a one-off or if there are real concerns going forward. I for one expect a bounceback season for him.

 

[Bonzai12]

Bo is always gonna be one specific hit short of his career ending.

 

[flyfysher]

Bo is always gonna be one specific hit short of his career ending.

Didn’t Makar get concussed early on? Or was that the shoulder?

 

[PAZ]

People are worried Byram is one hit away from hanging up the skates and then turn around and also say they’d love to sign Copp.

 

[Foppa2118]

With Chychrun openly on the market, it will make it even more difficult to swap G for a 2C.

Yotes are also looking for a top 6 C in return.

I'm not sure about that. I think they might just want futures.

The only reason I can see for Arizona moving Chychrun is to shed salary. Any decent 2C they get back is gonna cost the same $4.6M or more.

 

[Balthazar]

The only reason I can see for Arizona moving Chychrun is to shed salary.

He basically asked for a trade a couple of days ago.

Also they have to reach the cap floor...shedding salary isn't a reason why they'll trade him.

 

[Foppa2118]

He basically asked for a trade a couple of days ago.

Also they have to reach the cap floor...shedding salary isn't a reason why they'll trade him.

Oh that's interesting, I hadn't seen that.

Didn't say he specifically wanted to be traded, but that definitely could be possible given what he said.

I expect them to trade for some dead cap hits, and maybe facilitate some three way trades for players with a higher cap hit than salary next year.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Scheifele's comments today seem to all but confirm he's going on the market this summer IMO. He's probably my top realistic trade target for 2C next year. 6.125M cap hit for 2 more years is very solid for a 2C that can be PPG and carry a 2nd line.


Honestly feels like we have some pieces that would be of interest to the Jets as well IMO. They could use a Top 4 natural LD to go along with Morrissey on that side and we likely do have at least one.

Or if they decide they want to rebuild/retool Newhook + 1st is probably a good starting point as well.