Rumor: 2022-2023 Free Agency and Trade Rumors: STILL searching for a 2C

[dahrougem2]

How is Bednar not using him? He even got top six minutes before he went down with injury.

I think we just need to admit that Malgin just...isn't that good. He seems to have the wheels and semi-decent hands, but he just can't seem to make anything happen fast enough. Tries to thread passes and they get blocked/intercepted, can't really get shots off fast enough, and isn't strong enough to really win puck battles down low. He's a fringe NHLer who has no business on a contender, even one as banged up as Colorado is. It was worth a try but this experiment has failed.

But I agree, people need to quit bitchin' about not picking Tolvanen off of waivers. That guy would not be a difference-maker with the Avs.

I have my thoughts on the mistakes the Avs have made this season and offseason so far, but that's a discussion for another day.

I'm talking in terms of giving an extended look in a top six role. I thought he had his best game as an Av against the Leafs despite the major turnover. He was creating damn near every shift, had an assist and almost scored off the rush when he cut to the middle.

He also seems like the type to be able to play with much more skilled forwards. He can make those little creative plays in traffic. I'm not expecting a top six level producer immediately but I think if given a proper leash he can fit in our system.

 

[Linds]

Better package Newhook+G or Newhook+Toews

Cmon

 

[Muffin]

Tolvanen was an obvious miss. Fit or not he was FREE and literally have no downside to trying him. Worst case scenario you waive him again and at the very least Nashville will re-claim him to send him down.

 

[henchman21]

Tolvanen was an obvious miss. Fit or not he was FREE and literally have no downside to trying him. Worst case scenario you waive him again and at the very least Nashville will re-claim him to send him down.

Waivers isn’t free… there is a payment between organizations that happens. Not that it should have stopped anything, just saying.

I’m more perturbed by the Vrana pass through. He was way riskier, but he’s a legit top 6 player when he’s going.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Waivers isn’t free… there is a payment between organizations that happens. Not that it should have stopped anything, just saying.

I’m more perturbed by the Vrana pass through. He was way riskier, but he’s a legit top 6 player when he’s going.

I'm actually fine with the Vrana pass. That's a big risk for a guy that just went through the substance program, has a big enough cap hit that you can't just ignore it, and that hasn't played a ton of the last two years.

 

[henchman21]

I'm actually fine with the Vrana pass. That's a big risk for a guy that just went through the substance program, has a big enough cap hit that you can't just ignore it, and that hasn't played a ton of the last two years.

I understand it… just when Vrana is healthy, he’s a high end 5v5 goal scorer. Something this team desperately needs. Could have been had with a few checks. Now it would cause some major issues down the line on contracts, but that can be figured out with enough motivation

 

[shadow1]

If that recent article about MacFarland's time in Columbus is to be believed, he spends as much time as Richard88 concocting mock trade proposals.

Most likely he and Sakic didn't want to handcuff themselves by adding big salary on waivers. It's going to be a matter of when Colorado strikes, not if.

 

[jaisen73]

Vrana is just out of the assistance program and while I would hope everyone is hoping for the best for him, the Avs and every other team have no idea what his current play or state of mind is like. That would be a flag even without the price tag and term left on his contract. That said, if he shows he's in game form and Detroit puts him on the block I would love for the Avs to try and get him. Top 6 guy, some term left...checks all the boxes. Time will tell.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

www.capfriendly.com

Something I through together quickly just then. Solidifies the Center position much better for this year and next year, while also not committing big money long term to anybody. Value is pretty close for each deal I think.

The Girard trade would be a summer time trade. Henrique/Hayes would be deadline deals this year with the Avs sending EJ in the Henrique deal to get some cap space, and then signing him as a cheap UFA to play 3rd pairing minutes with Behrens in the summer.

There's some risk involved for sure, Behrens being able to cut it in the NHL. Byram being able to stay healthy in a Top 4 role. Meyers being able to figure it out as an NHL player.

But I think a roster built similar to that is far better balanced then what we have right now. And the risks are less significant then the risks we are taking with the makeup of the team right now(IE thinking Newhook could handle a role as important as a 2C). If Behrens struggles it would be a lot cheaper to find a bottom pairing Dman at the trade deadline for example.

 

[Avs_19]

Seravalli talking about Girard like that was nice to hear. Not that it means much but maybe he's hearing that from teams around the league.

On a side note, he's such a dick. I never knew he was as big of a dick as he is until he left TSN. I know anyone who has listened to Jason Gregor in Edmonton knows he's a clown too but all Seravalli does is talk down to him on that show.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Seravalli talking about Girard like that was nice to hear. Not that it means much but maybe he's hearing that from teams around the league.

On a side note, he's such a dick. I never knew he was as big of a dick as he is until he left TSN. I know anyone who has listened to Jason Gregor in Edmonton knows he's a clown too but all Seravalli does is talk down to him on that show.

What did he say about Girard?

 

[The Kingslayer]

Seravalli talking about Girard like that was nice to hear. Not that it means much but maybe he's hearing that from teams around the league.

On a side note, he's such a dick. I never knew he was as big of a dick as he is until he left TSN. I know anyone who has listened to Jason Gregor in Edmonton knows he's a clown too but all Seravalli does is talk down to him on that show.

What did Frank say?

 

[Avs_19]

What did he say about Girard?

What did Frank say?

That he'd have interest around the league if the Avs decided to trade him. Also that his contract is a very safe bet, how he's worth $5M/yr already, and potentially more than that.

Hope NHL GMs feel the same way.

 

[PAZ]

I'm actually fine with the Vrana pass. That's a big risk for a guy that just went through the substance program, has a big enough cap hit that you can't just ignore it, and that hasn't played a ton of the last two years.

Passing on both Tolvanen and Vrana was a mistake.

Hell, actually watching this team ignore waivers is so frusterating. Harkins just went through a week ago. Svechnikov a month ago. These players aren't anything special, but might as well throw shit at the wall when the rest of our depth is useless.

 

[Alienblood]

I hate to jump onto the 'retool' wagon, and I definitely want to avoid being part of the constant bitching. That said, if one wants to watch 'feel good' hockey, go to the nearest pond and watch teenagers play. The NHL is a business, and hard decisions must be made in business.

1) I love loyalty. I swear. I'm actually well known for that in my own job. But EJ needs to go, immediately. I'm not talking about not resigning him. I'm talking about figuring a way to get Anaheim (if it is on his 19 team list) to take him. The injuries have killed all accruals, and the $3M going out helps a lot. EJ is a negative value virtually any time he is on the ice.

2) As in #1, Manson and Byram have to be healthy, but this is the time to trade Toews. Most teams will not see how awful he has been this year, and will instead think about the Norris vote getting guy from last year. This is simple business. There is absolutely no way he resigns here. Zero. There is not the cap space to match the offer he inevitably gets. He gets a better return than any defender outside of Makar.

3) Either experiment with Newhook on a consistent 1W or 2W slot. If he can't hack it, send him at the deadline too. Even then, it would be because Landy or Mikko can effectively cover 2C, because the Avs have 3 of 4 current wings on contract for at least 5 years, and I can't see not fitting Mikko in under the cap when the time comes.

Those 3 moves clear $5.5M of TDL cap space. If Manson and Byram are healthy, that makes the third pair Girard and Hunt / Englund / MacPunchy / MacNorris / Behrens(?) which is just as good as having EJ in the line-up. That's enough room to pick up a legit 2C and the Toews money can go toward the salary for that 2C next year.

Business is business. Toews would be the textbook 'Buy Low; Sell High'. EJ's cap room is a far more valuable asset than his play this year ( last year pretty much as well.)

Byram would be on the 1st pair with Makar

 

[Pokecheque]

Passing on both Tolvanen and Vrana was a mistake.

Hell, actually watching this team ignore waivers is so frusterating. Harkins just went through a week ago. Svechnikov a month ago. These players aren't anything special, but might as well throw shit at the wall when the rest of our depth is useless.

There’s more than one reason Vrana went unclaimed despite obvious talent.

Theres no magical quick fix out there. And just claiming every scrub on the waiver wire isn’t going to move the needle any. We can (and maybe should) criticize management for not doing what was necessary in addressing the 2C issue, but now that problem has been compounded by injuries, they can’t panic their way out of it.

 

[PAZ]

There’s more than one reason Vrana went unclaimed despite obvious talent.

Theres no magical quick fix out there. And just claiming every scrub on the waiver wire isn’t going to move the needle any. We can (and maybe should) criticize management for not doing what was necessary in addressing the 2C issue, but now that problem has been compounded by injuries, they can’t panic their way out of it.

Of course there is a risk associated with Vrana, but the benefits outweigh the risk.

The bottom 6 is just as much of a problem as the #2C, at least in the regular season. If we had a legit bottom 6 or a #2C this team would look a lot better. There is no magical fix, but Tolvanen has 5 pts in 6 games with bottom 6 minutes. It's clear Bednar has zero trust in our current depth players, why not try and find another NAK or two? Worst case you throw him back on waivers and they get claimed or buried again.

 

[TruePowerSlave]

Passing on both Tolvanen and Vrana was a mistake.

Hell, actually watching this team ignore waivers is so frusterating. Harkins just went through a week ago. Svechnikov a month ago. These players aren't anything special, but might as well throw shit at the wall when the rest of our depth is useless.

Vrana makes 5M+. That contract would be a disaster next summer.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Vrana makes 5M+. That contract would be a disaster next summer.

It would be a disaster this summer and severely handicap the teams ability to add a 2C. It would basically completely dash those hopes. You would have 5 wingers taking up about 32 million of the cap. MacK’s 12.6 and Cale’s 9 takes us already to 54.

 

[henchman21]

Cap can always be made to work with the proper motivation (meaning you have to make some moves just for cap purposes, and they may not be cheap). Vrana on the books would simply mean somebody has to leave in the summer. If, and it is a risky if, Vrana played like he can, the Avs would have a bargain top 6 winger. A guy who can score at a 1st line level if he’s clicking. And they wouldn’t be tied to him with term. He’d add a Burkie sort of guy back to the lineup, and this team misses that sort of player.

 

[Pokecheque]

Of course there is a risk associated with Vrana, but the benefits outweigh the risk.

The bottom 6 is just as much of a problem as the #2C, at least in the regular season. If we had a legit bottom 6 or a #2C this team would look a lot better. There is no magical fix, but Tolvanen has 5 pts in 6 games with bottom 6 minutes. It's clear Bednar has zero trust in our current depth players, why not try and find another NAK or two? Worst case you throw him back on waivers and they get claimed or buried again.

Don’t know if I agree. He’s owed $5 million this season and next IIRC. He just got out of rehab and had a pretty unremarkable conditioning stint in the AHL. If the Avs got him they could probably use LTIR space but the moment everyone gets healthy then the Avs have to frantically move a substantial amount of salary.

If Vrana were a legit 2C, it would be worth the risk. But for another winger? No. Not even one as good as he is. Better to wait and if they really want him, broker a deal, that way they can move salary the other way.

 

[Chiarelli]

Could have rehabbed (pun intended) Vranas value and ditched him this summer

 

[henchman21]

Could have rehabbed (pun intended) Vranas value and ditched him this summer

Just let him do coke and all things will be fine.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Cap can always be made to work with the proper motivation (meaning you have to make some moves just for cap purposes, and they may not be cheap). Vrana on the books would simply mean somebody has to leave in the summer. If, and it is a risky if, Vrana played like he can, the Avs would have a bargain top 6 winger. A guy who can score at a 1st line level if he’s clicking. And they wouldn’t be tied to him with term. He’d add a Burkie sort of guy back to the lineup, and this team misses that sort of player.

I don't think Vrana is as good as Rants, Nuke or Landy. He may be better offensively than Lehkonen, but I would rather keep Lehky for the versatility. So then you are potentially bumping Lehkonen to the third line to keep Vrana in the top-6.

Landeskog (7.000) - MacKinnon (12.600) - Rantanen (9.250)
Vrana (5.250) - ??? - Nichushkin (6.125)
Lehkonen (4.500) - ??? - LOC (1.050)
??? - ??? - ???

Toews (4.100) - Makar (9.000)
Girard (5.000) - Manson (4.500)
Hunt (0.765) - MacDermid (0.988)

Georgiev (3.400)
Francouz (2.000)

Tota: 75.528

Do you then move someone from defense to open up that cap space? That weakens a unit that hasn't looked great this year. Do you pay to move Vrana, or hope that he builds up enough value that someone wants him? Do you run with budget solutions everywhere else? I just don't think it would be the right move, it would be a desperation move that you would hope and pray works out.

 

[henchman21]

I don't think Vrana is as good as Rants, Nuke or Landy. He may be better offensively than Lehkonen, but I would rather keep Lehky for the versatility. So then you are potentially bumping Lehkonen to the third line to keep Vrana in the top-6.

Landeskog (7.000) - MacKinnon (12.600) - Rantanen (9.250)
Vrana (5.250) - ??? - Nichushkin (6.125)
Lehkonen (4.500) - ??? - LOC (1.050)
??? - ??? - ???

Toews (4.100) - Makar (9.000)
Girard (5.000) - Manson (4.500)
Hunt (0.765) - MacDermid (0.988)

Georgiev (3.400)
Francouz (2.000)

Tota: 75.528

Do you then move someone from defense to open up that cap space? That weakens a unit that hasn't looked great this year. Do you pay to move Vrana, or hope that he builds up enough value that someone wants him? Do you run with budget solutions everywhere else? I just don't think it would be the right move, it would be a desperation move that you would hope and pray works out.

You have to move someone out on defense for sure… Avs have to do it anyway soon.

With Vrana you have a guy who scores 5v5 at a very high clip and that is something this team really needs (keeps the Avs from being a one line team). Especially on the 2nd line. So yeah bumping Lehky down makes a lot of sense there. Lehky is a better overall player and he can plug in around the lineup… the problem with his game is that he just isn’t good enough 5v5. Even playing on the top line, his production in that area is rather poor. He’s a 3rd liner when properly slotted… and this won’t be popular, but if there is a winger that has to go on the long term side of things, it should be him. He’s a fantastic player and one you love to have, but he’s not a top 6 guy.

Now solving the 2C spot with the right sort of player is the much more preferable option.