Rumor: 2022-2023 Trade Rumors and Free Agency: Let’s Run it Back!

[Ararana]

You can't play Bo Byram 3rd pairing minutes, you can't play Samuel Girard 3rd pairing minutes, and you can't play either of them on the right side.

One of them has to go and it's clear as day Byram > Girard not only now but moving forward.

You can make the argument that Toews gets traded over Girard but again, Toews > Girard now and probably the next few years. That's no slight against Sammy G. He just isn't at either of those guys' levels.

Girard has been fine on the right side, but I'll agree I really don't like the Byram - Girard pairing.

Byram - Makar
Toews - Girard

I'm ready for it. We'll see what the summer brings though.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Girard has been fine on the right side, but I'll agree I really don't like the Byram - Girard pairing.

Byram - Makar
Toews - Girard

I'm ready for it. We'll see what the summer brings though.

Super excited for the summer. I have no idea what Sakic will do. Fun times.

 

[Ararana]

Super excited for the summer. I have no idea what Sakic will do. Fun times.

It's a huge summer for Sakic. And he has a week to prepare for it lol.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I know it defies explanation to some that he would leave 6 million on the table but this is from last March:

Erik Johnson, former No. 1 overall draft pick, embraces diminished role with Avalanche

Defenseman Erik Johnson remembers the wise words of Dan Hinote.

www.denverpost.com

If anything he’ll go on LTIR. He won’t just up and forfeit 6mil. That’s crazy.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Speculation: - Josh Yohe: "I've heard from many in the Penguins organization that they believe Malkin has played his last game in Pittsburgh"

hfboards.mandatory.com

Malkin potentially leaving Penguins,

Replacement for Kadri? Not hating it. He has his injury issues but still good.

 

[Balthazar]

Girard has been fine on the right side

He really hasn't been fine.

He was a damn good defenseman up until they decided to play him on the right side in last year's playoffs and for most of this season.

He became good again after the deadline because he was playing on the left of Manson. Girard is a top tier 2nd pairing defenseman on the left side and with a steady partner. If you start f***ing around and play him on the right or change his partner every other shift he'll struggle (but who wouldn't??).

 

[Richard88]

Miles Wood played only 3 games this year and has a QO of $3.5m... Wonder if NJ decide to let him go at that number given how little he's played.

If they do decide to not QO him it might be in his best interest to take a one year "prove it" deal, and although Colorado probably can't afford bottom 6 players at a number like that either, maybe he'd find it appealing to take a cheaper deal to pump his numbers for at least a year on the Avs 3rd line? Stylistically he'd be perfect for the Avs.

Tyler Motte is probably also of interest to Avs pro scouts given his speed, tenacity on the forecheck, PKing, and great transition stats. Wonder if they'd offer him something in the 2x2 neighbourhood or if they strictly want/need $1m bottom 6 forwards.

 

[Avsboy]

 

[dahrougem2]

Girard has been fine on the right side, but I'll agree I really don't like the Byram - Girard pairing.

Byram - Makar
Toews - Girard

I'm ready for it. We'll see what the summer brings though.

This is a myth that needs to die. Girard on the right side does not work in the D-zone because he is retrieving pucks on his weak side.

Offensively? Sure, he can spin around and whatnot, but defensively he gets killed. He cannot play that side.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

I'd prefer Girard on the Left side, but he was fine on the Right at times this year. Just needs a good partner tbh. He struggled all year when he was playing with Jack Johnson.



Toews/Makar/Girard/Byram is an excellent Top 4 and will dominate possession once again next year. Highly unlikely they make a trade this summer unless something massive goes down which considering they just won a cup seems extremely unlikely.

 

[BaconNater]

I wonder how close a Jack Eichel trade actually was here.. can't imagine Avs win the cup this year if that happened

 

[67 others]

I have a feeling the Avs and my Sharks may be trading partners. The Sharks are currently running with 3 goalies for no reason lol, Reimer and Hill both on 2.1 million dollar deals with 1 year left and Kahkonen RFA from the trade with the Wild. They don't need 3 goalies and Colorado wants to keep some of that depth.

 

[WhatsInAName]

Get the f*** out of here with JJ in your starting top 6 Jesus Christ.

With 10.2 million in cap, you could easily add another veteran depth defenceman for under 2 million such as Edler, De Haan, or Braun. Behrens can start the following year.

Landeskog (7), MacKinnon (6.3), Rantanen (9.25)
Lehkonen (4), Kadri (7.5), Nichushkin (6)
Newhook (908K), Meyers (912 (k), Aube-Kubel/Kaut (1.225)
Cogliano (1), Helm (1), O'Connor (1.05)

Toews (4.1), Makar (9)
Byram (894K), EJ (6)
Edler (2), Manson (3.75)
JJ (800K), McDermid (987K)

Gibson (6.4)
Francouz (2)

or

Landeskog (7), MacKinnon (6.3), Rantanen (9.25)
Lehkonen (4), Kadri (7.5), Nichushkin (6)
Newhook (908K), Meyers (912 (k), Holtz (904K)
Cogliano (1), Helm (1), O'Connor (1.05)

Toews (4.1), Makar (9)
Byram (894K), EJ (6)
Edler (2), Manson (3.75)
JJ (800K),McDermid (987K)

Kuemper (5.5)
Francouz (2)

 

[Muffin]

Because he solves the position for the mid term. I mean worst case he’s the same level goalie as Darcy and that’s all we need to win. I mean who else are we gonna sign? MAF? He’s done. Campbell? He’s not good enough. Husso? There’s some risk there.

They all have risk and you’d have to pay to get him. But he also presents far and away the highest upside.

At his cap hit you’ll be stuck with him for his entire contract if it doesn’t work out. Huge gamble and going to cost you assets.

 

[MacKaRant]

I seriously doubt that's an actual issue for anyone in this league (aside from Ottawa), much less the Avs and them just winning the cup. The cap is an issue, not actual money spent.

For what it's worth, it was a huge part of the issue for Buffalo with regards to Eichel's choice of surgery. The procedure he wanted, and ultimately underwent after the trade to Vegas, wasn't covered by the insurance policy.

Since Colorado is a cap team, maybe it doesn't matter, but it's not like they are a big revenue driver (Leafs, Rangers, etc.) or a team with a hyper aggressive owner (Knights, Lightning, etc.) that's willing to absorb overages to win.

 

[The Kingslayer]

This is a myth that needs to die. Girard on the right side does not work in the D-zone because he is retrieving pucks on his weak side.

Offensively? Sure, he can spin around and whatnot, but defensively he gets killed. He cannot play that side.

I never liked G on the right side. Love him on the left side. Im just wondering though if we might have seen or maybe seeing the end of G's tenure here. It would suck but if the Avs need to shore up a hole in the roster you have to wonder if Girard is the odd man out.

 

[The Abusement Park]

At his cap hit you’ll be stuck with him for his entire contract if it doesn’t work out. Huge gamble and going to cost you assets.

I guess it depends on how you view him then.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Landeskog (7), MacKinnon (6.3), Rantanen (9.25)
Lehkonen (4), Kadri (7.5), Nichushkin (6)
Newhook (908K), Meyers (912 (k), X
Cogliano (1), Helm (1), O'Connor (1.05)

Toews (4.1), Makar (9)
Byram (894K), EJ (6)
JJ (800 K), Manson (3.75)
McDermid (987K)

X
Francouz (2)

This leaves us with 10.2 million in cap room to find a goalie and 3rd line winger plus assets acquired from trading Girard and Compher. Could easily fit Gibson, Varlamov, Kuemper. Perhaps trade Girard for Hellebuyck if Winnipeg is afraid of losing him in 2 years as a UFA or try to get a good young goalie.

Have several options for the third line winger
1） could go cheap with the third line winger so as not to bind ouselves to any long term deals with the intention of using that cap space and the EJ expiring to cover the costs for MacKinnon and Byram's extension next year. Fill it for the time being with Aube-Kubel/Kaut/Olausson/Maltsev and acquire a third line winger at the trade deadline if none of them pan out.
2）Instead of trading Girard for a goalie, sign Kuemper, use Girard to acquire a promising right winger on a cheap contract: Dach? Holtz? Puljujarvi+Holloway? Necas+?

Dont need JJ coming back. I really hope he rides off in the sunset with his cup.

Still in recovery mode so haven't read the whole thread...but I'm strongly against trading Girard. Defensive depth is absolute gold. Injuries happen every single year on playoff runs. I mean, we lost Girard this year, I'm pretty certain Toews was also injured, and Tampa's D was gutted even though they kept playing. Keep all of Byram/Toews/Makar/Girard, and also try to bring back Manson if he'll sign something reasonable. Having a top four calibre defenseman on the bottom pairing during the regular season is absolutely fine.

Also, we just gutted our defensive prospect depth at the deadline so that's yet another reason to keep Girard. Maybe consider moving Girard in a year+ if Behrens is doing well. He absolutely should not be moved this offseason.

Im not in the Trade Girard camp neither but if Kadri walks and we need to make a trade for a 2C would you use G to do it?

 

[Avs_19]

Love Nichushkin and he's my top priority but he's not getting more than Kadri on the open market so I'm not sure how it'd be easier to keep the latter. I don't know what Seravalli's on about.

It'd be amazing if they can somehow get both done though.

 

[Foppa2118]

Dont need JJ coming back. I really hope he rides off in the sunset with his cup.

I'd take JJ back for sure. They need someone like him as the 7D anyway and he was better than the 7D the Avs have had in the past. Thought he played pretty well when he replaced Girard in the playoffs. It's not like he's gonna make a ton of money either.

Avs have lots of skill on defense. They need physical defenders like him, especially with question marks over Manson returning, and whether EJ can have another healthy season.

 

[EdAVSfan]

Lehkonen under 4M AAV is absolute nonsense. He has arbitration rights.

Who are his arb comparables?

 

[dahrougem2]

I'd take JJ back for sure. They need someone like him as the 7D anyway and he was better than the 7D the Avs have had in the past. Thought he played pretty well when he replaced Girard in the playoffs. It's not like he's gonna make a ton of money either.

Avs have lots of skill on defense. They need physical defenders like him, especially with question marks over Manson returning, and whether EJ can have another healthy season.

Not only that but JMFJ has skill. He can skate, he can move the puck, he can make little skill plays.

Just don't ask him to do it (lol), don't overplay him, and live with the odd GLARING mistake (hello, St. Louis game 6) and you will be fine.

As a 7D for league minimum you can't ask for much more. Plus, he seems loved in that dressing room.

 

[Gumballhead]

Nick Paul @ 4M? I'd rather just shell out a little extra and go after Trocheck in that case.

I don't know what he'll command in salary but he definitely proved he can be a very useful player on a strong team. Guys like that, and I know a few of you were pining for him at the trade deadline, are playoff gold.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

I have absolutely no issue with bringing JJ back as our 7th Dman.

I wonder if Pysyk could also be an option. He would be cheap, skates well and the good thing with him is that he can also fill in at RW if necessary.

 

[willy702]

Because he solves the position for the mid term. I mean worst case he’s the same level goalie as Darcy and that’s all we need to win. I mean who else are we gonna sign? MAF? He’s done. Campbell? He’s not good enough. Husso? There’s some risk there.

They all have risk and you’d have to pay to get him. But he also presents far and away the highest upside.

I don't buy any of this but we'll see what Joe decides. Giving up a 1st and a young player like Newhook is insanity. Yeah 2 years ago teams would have done this, but how does one assume he solves the problem? His numbers are no better than Darcy's and I'm guessing with the question marks around him and lack of supply he's going to get paid less and with less term.

Its one thing to see a guy have a bad year and then maybe an injury year as well, but its been 3 seasons since he had a good year. Darcy had a relatively off year and is far likelier to rebound from that with less risk. That's closer to a solution than hoping Gibson was just not motivated enough or whatever for the last 3 seasons.