Rumor: 2023-2024 Trade Rumors and Free Agency: Offseason Edition

[Pokecheque]

This was never an issue.

It was all about the ridiculous ‘Duchene Cap’ and the Avs wanting to pay ROR like a 3C drafted out of the 2nd round, instead of acknowledging he was already a better player and worth more than Duchene.

There was not definitive proof at that point that O'Reilly was a better player circa 2012. Yes, he had just had a breakout season and Duchene suffered through an injury-riddled campaign (that Sacco completely mishandled) but Duchene prior to that was far, far superior in terms of production. Duchene still had a much better case for a long-term deal as a top line player than O'Reilly did, so there's nothing wrong with the Avs sticking to their salary structure, which BTW Nathan MacKinnon didn't appear to have a problem with.

Some of the other stuff I've read about but haven't heard confirmation, like Eric Lacroix barging into negotiations, is another story, but O'Reilly was demanding top-line center money when he had not yet proven he was one. His most productive season in Colorado by my count was playing on Duchene's wing.

Also, in hindsight, O'Reilly obviously ended up with a better prime but now that both players have entered their 30s it's once again Duchene who's looking like the better player.

A lot more blame should go on O'Reilly for the less-than-amicable parting. This is a guy who has a rep of being this low-key nice singer-songwriter type, but in reality he's a bit of a diva who essentially engineered his exit from two different organizations when the going got tough.

 

[Alienblood]

I really think they need to make a play for an established #2C - damn the expense. Whether that's Lindholm, Bennett, Dubois, Scheifele or other. I don't think a work-in-progress sort of player fits our timeline.

The way I see it (and it's probably different than other people) we have another good 3 solid years of contending for the Cup AND management has the task to add good young players that will keep us a competitive team beyond that.

So when you think of a team like Dallas that was able to add players like Hintz and Robertson (both 2nd round picks) to essentially supplant and move their original core pieces down the lineup, that's kind of what you're looking for but your scouting staff has to be on-point and you've also got to get a little lucky too.

We need a Jimmy Nill draft guru

Not signing off on a Mittelstadt trade unless he does a pullup in front of the trainers.

Sam Bennett too

This was never an issue.

It was all about the ridiculous ‘Duchene Cap’ and the Avs wanting to pay ROR like a 3C drafted out of the 2nd round, instead of acknowledging he was already a better player and worth more than Duchene.

Oh I think he soured when he didn't get the C he expected

 

[Vaslof]

If Nuke won't be available to us next season, I would look into acquiring either Laf or Kakko from NYR. Should not be expensive.

 

[Bubba Thudd]

This was never an issue.

It was all about the ridiculous ‘Duchene Cap’ and the Avs wanting to pay ROR like a 3C drafted out of the 2nd round, instead of acknowledging he was already a better player and worth more than Duchene.

But, if they try to bring ROR back and not Dutchy, doesn't that show ROR that they've realized the error they made? Can't we all get along?


(LOL, just realized you can't have ERROR without ROR...)

 

[LOFIN]

Mikko going to play for Team Finland at the Worlds. Was kinda wondering if he would not participate, given the amount of hockey he has played in the last 1,5 years. But he is a gamer.

 

[redacted]

Mikko going to play for Team Finland at the Worlds. Was kinda wondering if he would not participate, given the amount of hockey he has played in the last 1,5 years. But he is a gamer.

Honestly... kinda hate this. Would rather these guys stay home, rest and heal for a summer. Another month of hockey gets away from that whole idea.

 

[Pokecheque]

Honestly... kinda hate this. Would rather these guys stay home, rest and heal for a summer. Another month of hockey gets away from that whole idea.

Totally. The short offseason really hurt in hindsight. Not to mention this had to be the most grueling season of Mikko's career. Oh well, I guess he gets to call these shots but I'm not down with this either.

 

[LOFIN]

It's the world championships, not the Stanley Cup playoffs lol. It's a short tournament, and the intensity is nowhere near the playoffs. Obviously, there's always the risk for a freak accident but such is life. Mikko did perform decently this year after a short summer.

 

[Pokecheque]

It's the world championships, not the Stanley Cup playoffs lol. It's a short tournament, and the intensity is nowhere near the playoffs. Obviously, there's always the risk for a freak accident but such is life. Mikko did perform decently this year after a short summer.

Just sayin', the Kraken lost their backup goalie for an entire season because of this tournament. I'd prefer he or any other Avs player not play, but again, it's his call.

 

[LOFIN]

Just sayin', the Kraken lost their backup goalie for an entire season because of this tournament. I'd prefer he or any other Avs player not play, but again, it's his call.

Like I said, freak accidents can always happen. And if Rantanen gets his knee blown out I'm pretty sure I'll be here swearing it too. But as a Finn, also love to see him playing.

It is what it is since there are no best-on-best tournaments anymore, gotta enjoy your NHL superstars playing for your country on home soil when you can get 'em.

 

[Pokecheque]

Like I said, freak accidents can always happen. And if Rantanen gets his knee blown out I'm pretty sure I'll be here swearing it too. But as a Finn, also love to see him playing.

It is what it is since there are no best-on-best tournaments anymore, gotta enjoy your NHL superstars playing for your country on home soil when you can get 'em.

I suppose I'm just not invested because I'm far less patriotic than I was as a kid and more often than not the American players are among my least favorite.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Yeah the worlds are basically eliminated player’s first big drunk of the year. They even go out the night before games lol. Nobody tries too hard or takes it too serious unless it’s a playoff game.

As long as Mikko (or anybody else heading to the worlds) don’t get hurt, it won’t really add any extra miles on the body worth talking about.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Watch Mikko get two-hand slashed on the wrist in the first game and require surgery to fix every fiber in his arm.

 

[LOFIN]

Watch Mikko get two-hand slashed on the wrist in the first game and require surgery to fix every fiber in his arm.

Surely the hockey gods only wanted to punish Avs for this season, not next season as well?

 

[jabubenice]

Avs need to trade for 2C: Lindholm, Bennett or sign UFA O’Reilly.

O’Reilly leadership good be good if Landeskog can’t return playing

i think they will because the experiment tanked terribly

 

[PAZ]

It is really hard to say right now. Your caveat of 'some support' is a big, big crux of the issue. There just isn't much room for support. The Avs have ~69.5m tied up in 13 players right now (6F, 5D, 2G). Roughly 14m in cap room. To fit in a 2C, 5/6 of a bottom 6, Byram, and an extra defender (since that includes Dermy). If you figure Byram is $4m. You're down to 10m for 7 spots. Those 7 spots were taken by guys making ~12-13m last year (one with retention). Odds are pretty high the support is going to be worse next year.

If CMac has a decent offseason and gets a few decent depth pieces (i.e. most of the 3rd/4th lines sorted out) and they're willing to shell out at the TDL/use LTIR the team can look really good in the playoffs.

Our 2023 1st should still have decent value, we have the 2024 + 2025 1st rounds, and some minor pieces in Behrens/Foudy/Olausson/etc. that should be enough to get a rental like Dubois or Scheifele + whatever bottom 6 holes at the TDL.

As bad as our cap situation is, it's honestly on par with some other teams as all of them have horrible contracts. i.e. Dallas with Benn/Seguin/Suter, Edmonton with Campbell/Yamamoto and buyouts on Neal, etc.

 

[AnimalMother73]

If CMac has a decent offseason and gets a few decent depth pieces (i.e. most of the 3rd/4th lines sorted out) and they're willing to shell out at the TDL/use LTIR the team can look really good in the playoffs.

Our 2023 1st should still have decent value, we have the 2024 + 2025 1st rounds, and some minor pieces in Behrens/Foudy/Olausson/etc. that should be enough to get a rental like Dubois or Scheifele + whatever bottom 6 holes at the TDL.

The point is that money will likley have to go out to get any type of team depth unless we somehow grab at least 3-4 players who would need to substantially outperform a league minimum salary. This is highly unlikely so the team will likely have to trade a player they would rather not (Toews or Girard are most likely) if they want to accomodate any type of depth.

 

[teoberto]

Just sayin', the Kraken lost their backup goalie for an entire season because of this tournament. I'd prefer he or any other Avs player not play, but again, it's his call.

Are we forgetting how the most common way to get injured for Avs players is during off days?

 

[PAZ]

The point is that money will likley have to go out to get any type of team depth unless we somehow grab at least 3-4 players who would need to substantially outperform a league minimum salary. This is highly unlikely so the team will likely have to trade a player they would rather not (Toews or Girard are most likely) if they want to accomodate any type of depth.

And that's fine, it's a luxury having Girard/Toews/Byram on the left side. My point is we have the hardest pieces to acquire. Toronto rebuilt their team at the TDL, getting 3 middle 6 players and 2 defensemen playing in their top 4. Alternatively, Nyquist/MoJo/etc. were available for peanuts that would've been a substantial upgrade to out bottom 9.

My point is the core is here with some of the best playoff performers in the game. CMac needs to have the balls to throw everything on the table for another run.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

My point is we have the hardest pieces to acquire.

I strongly disagree with this statement.

Hardest to get:

Elite 1D - Check.​

Elite 1C - Check.​

Capable Goalie(since 80% of goalies suck today) - Check.​

You really think acquiring a 2C and some bottom 6 forwards are the hardest pieces to acquire? Now, 2Cs don't grow on trees, but surely easier to attain than the key pieces we already have.

That's the frustrating part for me. We HAVE the hardest pieces to acquire. Any GM would love to get a team with the hardest pieces already solved. CMac simply needed to give this team a chance at the TDL, and he did nothing of the sort.

 

[redacted]

If CMac has a decent offseason and gets a few decent depth pieces (i.e. most of the 3rd/4th lines sorted out) and they're willing to shell out at the TDL/use LTIR the team can look really good in the playoffs.

Our 2023 1st should still have decent value, we have the 2024 + 2025 1st rounds, and some minor pieces in Behrens/Foudy/Olausson/etc. that should be enough to get a rental like Dubois or Scheifele + whatever bottom 6 holes at the TDL.

As bad as our cap situation is, it's honestly on par with some other teams as all of them have horrible contracts. i.e. Dallas with Benn/Seguin/Suter, Edmonton with Campbell/Yamamoto and buyouts on Neal, etc.

It definitely remains to be seen what happens. IMO it takes a lot more than a decent offseason. It will have to be a great offseason to make things work.

Certainly the Avs have the assets to grab an impact rental. A standard, run of the mill top 6 guy is roughly a 1st + prospect such as those. The Avs do have to show they are willing to go there. Which right now is a bit of a question.

Edmonton is sitting at ~79.8m next season with 21 players signed. This is actually an inflated number with how many players they have called up. You can knock about $4m off that number and 5 players. With about $8m of space they have to re-sign McLeod and Bouchard... then 3, maybe 4 depth players. That's not nearly as bad as the Avs.

Dallas has about 7.8m in space. Their defense and net is set for next year. That 7.8m in space is going their final 4 forward spots. Dellandrea gets bridged in the 2s. Leaving $5+m for the other 3 spots. 2 of those spots will go to a combo of Stankoven, Blumel, and Bourque. Which should leave around 3-3.5m to get one signing. Again also not as bad.

Both of those teams are looking at a few ~1m guys to find or ELCs to contribute. The Avs are looking at 7 or 8. Instead of it being on the fringes of the roster, it becomes 35% of the roster and impactful roles. That's not to say it is impossible, I can point to a team still in the playoffs and one of the favorites that has had to go this path... Toronto. It is just a different build and the depth suffers unless you pay through the nose for excess value contracts. The Hagel and Jeannot type of trades might have to be in the Avs' future.

And that's fine, it's a luxury having Girard/Toews/Byram on the left side. My point is we have the hardest pieces to acquire. Toronto rebuilt their team at the TDL, getting 3 middle 6 players and 2 defensemen playing in their top 4. Alternatively, Nyquist/MoJo/etc. were available for peanuts that would've been a substantial upgrade to out bottom 9.

My point is the core is here with some of the best playoff performers in the game. CMac needs to have the balls to throw everything on the table for another run.

I strongly disagree with this statement.

Hardest to get:

Elite 1D - Check.​

Elite 1C - Check.​

Capable Goalie(since 80% of goalies suck today) - Check.​

You really think acquiring a 2C and some bottom 6 forwards are the hardest pieces to acquire? Now, 2Cs don't grow on trees, but surely easier to attain than the key pieces we already have.

That's the frustrating part for me. We HAVE the hardest pieces to acquire. Any GM would love to get a team with the hardest pieces already solved. CMac simply needed to give this team a chance at the TDL, and he did nothing of the sort.

Agree with the sentiment here. CMac needs to step up and have a very good offseason, and he needs to be more aggressive. Hopefully this year ends up that wake up call like JBB getting swept by the Jackets was. You have two clear seasons before age becomes a major issue. Make the most of them.... assets be damned.

 

[BaconNater]

Would be nice to find players that are ready to take the next step with more opportunities like Bunting or Verhaege, of course those are rare types and obviously easier said than done

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I would love to get Erik Haula for a year or two as a 3C.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I just realized @PAZ is saying the same thing as me.

I'm still in rage mode, my bad.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

I know Compher sucked in the playoffs, but if we were healthy and he had Nuke/Landy on his wings I think we would have been fine there. I honestly think their bigger issue was depth beyond the top 6.

Trust me, this isn’t me saying re-sign Compher. I just think we can all stop screaming about the 2C position a little less and worry about adding some actual NHL talent to our bottom 6. We need to find a 2C too, but he doesn’t have to be a star 2C. A Kevin Hayes with retention for example should be passable and fairly inexpensive to acquire. We need to make sure there’s 4 lines of Avs hockey rolling shift after shift though.