Rumor: 2022-2023 Trade Rumors and Free Agency (Mod Warning in OP)

[Richard88]

I think people also need to remember that we can’t compare the playoff roster to the 22-23 opening night roster.

That’s not feasible nor realistic. That playoff team would’ve never fit under the cap.
For reference, here’s our roster in a game against Philly pre trade deadline:

Landeskog - MacKinnon - Rantanen
Nichushkin - Kadri - Burakovsky
Aube-Kubel - Newhook - O'Connor
Megna - Jost - Helm

Toews - Makar
J. Johnson - Girard
MacDermid - E. Johnson

There’s no question we have the hole at 2C. But we still have cap room, and some assets to try to address that.

But we’ll be starting this season with a much better D.

Aube Kubel also wasn't on the opening night roster. The Avs have a good track record with waiver pickups and there will be plenty of good forwards squeezed into waivers this year so they'll be able to augment the depth again in mid-season that way too.

 

[Richard88]

Just tell me one thing. Is JTC at 2C going to get us another cup? We're about cups now aren't we?

No one here is arguing that we should go into the playoffs with JTC at 2C.

All that's being discussed is his viability as a bandaid until a mid-season or TDL trade can be made for a legit 2C.

Last season the roster that started the year also had some significant holes, namely at 2RHD and an awful bottom 6, but those issues were fixed at the deadline. That's what contenders in a cap league have to do. It just so happens that this year the Avs may start the season with a hole at 2C, with good depth and no holes on defense.

 

[Richard88]

Points are really only one part of being a 2C... especially on the Avs where they tend to run a top group of 5 and then everyone else gets rotated. Compher defensively and with heavy faceoff responsibility for ~18+ minutes a game is far more of an issue than him putting up 45 points. I think he's perfectly capable of 45 points... it is literally everything else that concerns me.

There are ways to mitigate that.

For example, signing someone like Stastny or Johan Larsson and use them situationally to take some of the DZ draws off Compher.

Or lean on MacKinnon's like a bit more in those situations.

Neither of those would be ideal obviously, but could be adequate solutions until the TDL.

Or just trade Newhook for JT Miller now and sign a cheap 3rd liner to replace Newhook while guys like Heinen and Janmark are taking dirt cheap one year deals.

 

[AvsWraith]

No one here is arguing that we should go into the playoffs with JTC at 2C.

All that's being discussed is his viability as a bandaid until a mid-season or TDL trade can be made for a legit 2C.

Last season the roster that started the year also had some significant holes, namely at 2RHD and an awful bottom 6, but those issues were fixed at the deadline. That's what contenders in a cap league have to do. It just so happens that this year the Avs may start the season with a hole at 2C, with good depth and no holes on defense.

And I'm just saying that the issue doesn't have to wait until the deadline, if we could just get over the weird attachment to G that everyone seems to have. G was great when we got him and didn't have jack shit in the way of puck moving defensemen. That issue has since been upgraded to the max with Cale, Toews, Bo, and Manson, who's actually pretty good at moving the puck. We even have Behrens, who will be the next in that line in a couple years.

 

[EdAVSfan]

And I'm just saying that the issue doesn't have to wait until the deadline, if we could just get over the weird attachment to G that everyone seems to have. G was great when we got him and didn't have jack shit in the way of puck moving defensemen. That issue has since been upgraded to the max with Cale, Toews, Bo, and Manson, who's actually pretty good at moving the puck. We even have Behrens, who will be the next in that line in a couple years.

You've convinced yourself that there is a trade for a 2C out there involving Girard.

You seem to be working off this complete hypothetical as if its factual.

Here's what we know. We have no idea if we're still in on Kadri. We have no idea if we're targeting a bandaid UFA to buy time. We have no idea what centers are even available at this point.

Just because we have the hole at 2C doesnt mean you rush to fill it.

 

[Raucherhusten]

And I'm just saying that the issue doesn't have to wait until the deadline, if we could just get over the weird attachment to G that everyone seems to have. G was great when we got him and didn't have jack shit in the way of puck moving defensemen. That issue has since been upgraded to the max with Cale, Toews, Bo, and Manson, who's actually pretty good at moving the puck. We even have Behrens, who will be the next in that line in a couple years.

If it would be that easy to bring in a young-ish, cheap-ish 2C just for Sammy straight up, it would have already been done.

Also, it's not the worse idea to hang on to G for at least one more year because we have no clue how to deal with Toews getting REALLY expensive 2024 just yet.

 

[AvsWraith]

You've convinced yourself that there is a trade for a 2C out there involving Girard.

You seem to be working off this complete hypothetical as if its factual.

Here's what we know. We have no idea if we're still in on Kadri. We have no idea if we're targeting a bandaid UFA to buy time. We have no idea what centers are even available at this point.

That's fair.

My assumption is that G is the best trade chip we have for a 2C. Seems like GMs are/were always looking for a puck moving defenseman. And with that contract, he would move the dial. I could be wrong though, unlike a lot of other people on this board, I can admit it.

 

[The Abusement Park]

And I'm just saying that the issue doesn't have to wait until the deadline, if we could just get over the weird attachment to G that everyone seems to have. G was great when we got him and didn't have jack shit in the way of puck moving defensemen. That issue has since been upgraded to the max with Cale, Toews, Bo, and Manson, who's actually pretty good at moving the puck. We even have Behrens, who will be the next in that line in a couple years.

I mean if we can use G to fill the 2C hole for some term than by all means that should be explored. But there’s also significant risk in moving him. There’s a very legit chance we lose 2/3 of our elite left side of D if he’s moved and then Behrens HAS to hit.

 

[henchman21]

If it would be that easy to bring in a young-ish, cheap-ish 2C just for Sammy straight up, it would have already been done.

Also, it's not the worth idea to hang on to G for at least one more year because we have no clue how to deal with Toews getting REALLY expensive 2024 just yet.

I feel much the same. If a cost controlled prime age 2C was available for G or G+, we'd likely have a deal right now. The health concerns with G and his drop off in play last year limits his value to execute that trade... the piece that'd likely have to be given up is Byram.

 

[Golden Foppa]

Both of those WCF's against Dallas were physically brutal. When people call it the "clutch and grab" era they are underselling the violent reality of those games, to say nothing of the rulebook getting tossed out the window.

Richard Matvichuk taking Forsberg into the boards and separating his shoulder leaving both players laying on the ice screaming in pain as they were chasing down an icing play is a perfect example of the style of play in that era and how violent that particular series was.

 

[AvsWraith]

I feel much the same. If a cost controlled prime age 2C was available for G or G+, we'd likely have a deal right now. The health concerns with G and his drop off in play last year limits his value to execute that trade... the piece that'd likely have to be given up is Byram.

Anyone remember draft day when some of the talking heads said they saw Sakic talking to Vancouver, and their GM threw his hands up in frustration/anger, which ended the conversation. I'm willing to bet that conversation revolved around JT Miller, and they wanted Bo. Sakic rightfully said "Hell No!", and walked away.

If Bo is the ask, we're definitely going with internal options.

 

[niwotsblessing]

Richard Matvichuk taking Forsberg into the boards and separating his shoulder leaving both players laying on the ice screaming in pain as they were chasing down an icing play is a perfect example of the style of play in that era and how violent that particular series was.

And it is also why we lost to those cheating-ass bastards.

 

[The Moops]

Yeah, remember it's JTC. An actually good player.


Hilarious how people still hate this guy.

I don't hate him, but I've been frustrated at his production. He was money in the last 2 rounds of the playoffs though so I have no problem with him rn

 

[avsfan09]

Then why bring in Meyers who can't play in the playoffs?



I think people are way too quick to excuse him losing the role either due to youth or experience instead of looking at why Newhook lost the role
I just don’t think it was his skating.

Not thinking it was his skating isn’t an excuse I just think he was better utilized on the wing than center for the cup run. He showed that he was an asset to the team. I just think Bednar was cautious about putting him in a position where he could hurt us with a rookie mistake, which is very normal and not really on a team that could afford them.

 

[Hasbro]

I think Newhook had a perfectly fine rookie season. He had basically the same numbers as Compher while playing 3 minutes less per game.

And no PP1 time.

 

[Balthazar]

Does anyone here still believe that Kadri doesn't have a deal with the Islanders since day 1?

 

[The Merchant]

Someone needs to share this with Nate...

Well to be fair Cale probably should've been that list too

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

And I'm just saying that the issue doesn't have to wait until the deadline, if we could just get over the weird attachment to G that everyone seems to have. G was great when we got him and didn't have jack shit in the way of puck moving defensemen. That issue has since been upgraded to the max with Cale, Toews, Bo, and Manson, who's actually pretty good at moving the puck. We even have Behrens, who will be the next in that line in a couple years.

Its like you haven't read this thread at all the past two weeks and are just having a temper tantrum at this point? Did you miss nap time today or something?


Nobody is afraid to move G, or Toews for that matter, to get a 2C.... What 2C do you think is actually available on the market right now that warrants trading our best asset to get? Tell us all that since you seem to be so well informed on the trade rumors.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

One possibility is that the Avs are just being patient with NYI and told Lou:
"Here is what we can give you for Nelson. Try and clear cap room somewhere else but in the end if you are stuck and you want to do this, we'll be still here to do that deal."

 

[niwotsblessing]

I think Newhook had a perfectly fine rookie season. He had basically the same numbers as Compher while playing 3 minutes less per game.

I’ll admit I was expecting a little more though. Maybe my expectations were too high and he really didn’t get much of an opportunity in the playoffs. The 4th line was playing at such a high level that the 3rd lines minutes got cut down. Newy was only getting like 10 minutes a night in the postseason.

It would be huge if Newhook could become a second liner, either at wing, or centre. Bednar loves Lehkonen though. I don’t think he’s worried at all about playing him on the second line, like he did in the playoffs.

Newhook was playing with Nico Stern and NAK in the playoffs- two offensive black holes. Newhook did well as a rookie being in a spot where he had no offensive support from his regular line mates. He clearly has more skill, vision, and hockey IQ than JTC, and would be my choice for a tryout at 2C.

His biggest challenge may be building up his strength for the job.

 

[Richard88]

And I'm just saying that the issue doesn't have to wait until the deadline, if we could just get over the weird attachment to G that everyone seems to have. G was great when we got him and didn't have jack shit in the way of puck moving defensemen. That issue has since been upgraded to the max with Cale, Toews, Bo, and Manson, who's actually pretty good at moving the puck. We even have Behrens, who will be the next in that line in a couple years.

I'm not opposed to trading Girard, but it has to be in the right trade.

I've discussed the merits and demerits of trades like Girard for Bennett; Girard for Necas; Girard for Scheifele; and several others. None of those appear to be perfect fits however, if those players are even available to begin with. If there was a perfect trade to be made involving Girard for a similarly-aged and cost-controlled 2C it probably already would have been done by now.

That said, though I'm not opposed to moving Girard in the right trade I still think the optimum time to move either him or Toews is in 2023. At that point we'll know more what Toews' and Byram's respective next contracts will look like, which makes it the best time to choose which two LHD's to keep moving forwards. At that point Behrens will also be nearer to being NHL ready after two college seasons.

In the meantime the best course of action may be to aim for a rental 2C at the TDL which requires less assets to acquire than a young cost-controlled top 4 LHD.

 

[dahrougem2]

I feel much the same. If a cost controlled prime age 2C was available for G or G+, we'd likely have a deal right now. The health concerns with G and his drop off in play last year limits his value to execute that trade... the piece that'd likely have to be given up is Byram.

Nah, if you move Byram you expect a cost controlled future 1C back.

 

[Peter Peckerwood]

Lots of people seem ready to give up on Newhook already, the kid just had his rookie year, let's give him a little time...

New-who?

 

[Richard88]

Definitely need a #2C. They can wait until the deadline, however that's risky as there might not be that many options and no guarantees you will actually get one.

There may be options that open up sooner than the deadline even though they aren't available right now.

For example there's always a few teams who suffer injuries or bad starts who need to make a change or a shake-up in the first couple of months. Or potential trades mooted in the off-season that simply didn't materialise yet.

 

[EdAVSfan]

There may be options that open up sooner than the deadline even though they aren't available right now.

For example there's always a few teams who suffer injuries or bad starts who need to make a change or a shake-up in the first couple of months. Or potential trades mooted in the off-season that simply didn't materialise yet.

Yup.

You can also include teams who have prospects that emerge quicker than expected, making the current roster players expendable.

And then you have teams that are hoping to make playoffs realize that they’re u likely to get there and are willing to sell.

And finally, you have the expiring guys who decide they want to test UFA, or have indicated to their teams they don’t plan on re-signing with their current club.