Rumor: 2023-24 Trade Rumors and Free Agency: Season Thread

[redacted]

That's what looking at stats and averages will get you. Against Florida, the depth came through, yet the "big 4", had 3 goals in 5 games. All of them came in G4 and G5, when it was already a lost cause. Matthews, the best goalscorer in the game, 0 goals in the series.

Their depth scored goals against Florida, the big boys didn't. That's the story. And it has been the same story every year basically when it comes to "do or die" games with Toronto. Feathers from Marner and Matthews. And I'm sorry, when those two are paid what they are, the criticism is absolutely warranted.

Yeah I watched the games. People underrate how good Florida is defensively upfront. I'm not saying they don't have a part in it (they do), just saying the real issue lies elsewhere. You can win with Matthews and Marner... not sure you can win with Tavares with them and that defense.

 

[LOFIN]

Yeah I watched the games. People underrate how good Florida is defensively upfront. I'm not saying they don't have a part in it (they do), just saying the real issue lies elsewhere. You can win with Matthews and Marner... not sure you can win with Tavares with them and that defense.

I'm not saying you can't win with Matthews and Marner, but so far the losses can be pinpointed on them. What did we use to say about Ovie (and a lot of that was unwarranted, he did score)? What people would've said about MacKinnon if we hadn't won etc... You're a loser until you're not. In some cases it's more warranted than others.

 

[redacted]

I'm not saying you can't win with Matthews and Marner, but so far the losses can be pinpointed on them. What did we use to say about Ovie? What people would've said about MacKinnon if we hadn't won etc... You're a loser until you're not. In some cases it's more warranted than others.

Yeah it comes with being a star. I don't think people saying it makes it true though. People said it about Eichel too. They said it about Cheese until the last run too. I get that whole idea of things, but playoffs are such small samples where freak things can just happen and even happen for longer than you'd think.

IMO if you swapped Eichel and Matthews on Vegas... Vegas still wins.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Yeah it comes with being a star. I don't think people saying it makes it true though. People said it about Eichel too. They said it about Cheese until the last run too. I get that whole idea of things, but playoffs are such small samples where freak things can just happen and even happen for longer than you'd think.

IMO if you swapped Eichel and Matthews on Vegas... Vegas still wins.

This is the part people really don't understand about playoff hockey. The amount of variance inside of a single series is ridiculous. Nevermind 4 series'.

 

[Balthazar]

This is the part people really don't understand about playoff hockey. The amount of variance inside of a single series is ridiculous. Nevermind 4 series'.

We just had the best example of this a few months ago.

Game 5, Bruins lead series 3-1, game is tied with a few seconds left and this happend:



This save bought the Panthers 16 additional playoff games.

If Marchand scores the Bruins eliminate the Panthers and it changes the whole playoff picture.

 

[AvsFan2123]

Yea for those talking about upcoming depth issues and cap crunch, I’m working on two separate teams on my CapFriendly ACGM for the 24/25 and 25/26 seasons. It’s not fun lol. I’ve traded Manson and Girard. REALLY hope we have something in Kovalenko, Pavel, and Malinski cause we really need those sub 900K contracts contributing. And soon. A staple on 3RW in Kovalenko for playoffs and next year would be huge. Pavel sounds like a defensive ace so him at 4C would be huge next to LOC with $1M. Malinski might not be a big contributor this year, but could really use him next.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Yea for those talking about upcoming depth issues and cap crunch, I’m working on two separate teams on my CapFriendly ACGM for the 24/25 and 25/26 seasons. It’s not fun lol. I’ve traded Manson and Girard. REALLY hope we have something in Kovalenko, Pavel, and Malinski cause we really need those sub 900K contracts contributing. And soon. A staple on 3RW in Kovalenko for playoffs and next year would be huge. Pavel sounds like a defensive ace so him at 4C would be huge next to LOC with $1M. Malinski might not be a big contributor this year, but could really use him next.

This is where I fear we may miss Cronin. He seemed like he had a real special way with defensemen.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Yea for those talking about upcoming depth issues and cap crunch, I’m working on two separate teams on my CapFriendly ACGM for the 24/25 and 25/26 seasons. It’s not fun lol. I’ve traded Manson and Girard. REALLY hope we have something in Kovalenko, Pavel, and Malinski cause we really need those sub 900K contracts contributing. And soon. A staple on 3RW in Kovalenko for playoffs and next year would be huge. Pavel sounds like a defensive ace so him at 4C would be huge next to LOC with $1M. Malinski might not be a big contributor this year, but could really use him next.

Yep, the depth will only get uglier in future years... Unless some prospects can actually start making contributions.

Personally, the only prospect I expect to have a meaningful contribution in the next 2 years is Foudy. Maybe Malinski on Defense.

 

[Foppa2118]

Yea for those talking about upcoming depth issues and cap crunch, I’m working on two separate teams on my CapFriendly ACGM for the 24/25 and 25/26 seasons. It’s not fun lol. I’ve traded Manson and Girard. REALLY hope we have something in Kovalenko, Pavel, and Malinski cause we really need those sub 900K contracts contributing. And soon. A staple on 3RW in Kovalenko for playoffs and next year would be huge. Pavel sounds like a defensive ace so him at 4C would be huge next to LOC with $1M. Malinski might not be a big contributor this year, but could really use him next.

2025-26 is where the real cap crunch is gonna be with Mikko, Bo, Goergiev, and RyJo's deals expiring. When you crunch the numbers it gets tough if they re-sign Toews, even with a $92M cap. Might have to go with a cheap 2C again to start the season.

This would upset some people, but I wonder if the tentative plan/hope is Ritchie develops well enough to be tried at 2C on a cheap ELC and then they re-evaluate later in the season or at the deadline whether to trade for a more veteran 2C on a prorated deal so it doesn't impact their cap as much.

Some people like to be results oriented and say that was the plan last year and it didn't work, but for the situation they were in it was a good plan.

The problem was for whatever reason they changed their calculus (injuries, Makar, Landy, Val, trades falling through, asking prices) and didn't follow through on a 2C trade at the deadline. If they had traded for RyJo for instance at the deadline, maybe it does work.

 

[BobRossColton]

Big if, but if Byram takes a truly great step this season as does Lundell, do you try and trade the two? Not sure if this would allow us to resign toews

24-25
Lehk Nate mikko
Gabe RyJo nuke
Colton Lundell Wood

25-26
Lehk Nate mikko
Gabe Lundell nuke
Colton Ritchie wood

 

[Foppa2118]

REALLY hope we have something in Kovalenko, Pavel, and Malinski cause we really need those sub 900K contracts contributing. And soon. A staple on 3RW in Kovalenko for playoffs and next year would be huge. Pavel sounds like a defensive ace so him at 4C would be huge next to LOC with $1M.

Just drills, but Pavel's been standing out a bit in these early skating sessions. (he's in white below)

I like his hands, feet, and tenacity in front of the net in this first clip especially. He's still my bet to make the team as 4C to start the season. If it's close, his size and faceoff ability will help him.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Sounds like Comtois to Vegas on a PTO

Comtois to Vegas?

 

[Valushkin]

Before people start saying Avs should have PTOed Comtois, he had 9 goals last year blah blah blah, Kiviranta had 8 goals

 

[AvsFan2123]

Before people start saying Avs should have PTOed Comtois, he had 9 goals last year blah blah blah, Kiviranta had 8 goals

I don’t want to spread rumors like Avs like some people did with Nichushkin and harm reputations, so please correct me if I’m wrong. I thought the reason he isn’t signed/got qualified was cause I thought he was among the WJC players in those allegations?

 

[Valushkin]

I don’t want to spread rumors like Avs like some people did with Nichushkin and harm reputations, so please correct me if I’m wrong. I thought the reason he isn’t signed/got qualified was cause I thought he was among the WJC players in those allegations?

I have no clue about that.

 

[Foppa2118]

I don’t want to spread rumors like Avs like some people did with Nichushkin and harm reputations, so please correct me if I’m wrong. I thought the reason he isn’t signed/got qualified was cause I thought he was among the WJC players in those allegations?

I don't know if he was involved or not, but unlike some of the others, he issued a fairly strong denial.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Big if, but if Byram takes a truly great step this season as does Lundell, do you try and trade the two? Not sure if this would allow us to resign toews

Easily. Byram is the Dman I personally would move in general. He's the best combination of value while also not really being that important to us given we have Toews and Girard on the Left Side already.


If you can move Byram for a legit high end 2C that solves the position permanently for 4-5 years or more, that's what I would do.

 

[LOFIN]

Easily. Byram is the Dman I personally would move in general. He's the best combination of value while also not really being that important to us given we have Toews and Girard on the Left Side already.


If you can move Byram for a legit high end 2C that solves the position permanently for 4-5 years or more, that's what I would do.

Though, if Byram actually takes a step I would think he's worth more than Lundell.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Though, if Byram actually takes a step I would think he's worth more than Lundell.

I dont think so, not if Lundell is also taking a step.

2C>2D Especially for the Avs, who already have basically two 1Ds in Makar/Toews.

 

[LOFIN]

I dont think so, not if Lundell is also taking a step.

2C>2D Especially for the Avs, who already have basically two 1Ds in Makar/Toews.

Point being, Byram had and I think still has the potential of being a 1st pairing D-man. Lundell, on the other hand, will top as a #2.

At the moment, I think they are fairly comparable in terms of value. But the ceiling is higher for Byram, he's a higher pick and he's Canadian. Boosts his value IMO.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Point being, Byram had and I think still has the potential of being a 1st pairing D-man. Lundell, on the other hand, will top as a #2.

Sure, and my point was 2C>2D. Lundell as a top end 2C, say he's a ~70 point Center with a strong two-way game, is more important to winning then Byram as a #2D, especially to the Avs who already have two #1D.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Yep, the depth will only get uglier in future years... Unless some prospects can actually start making contributions.

Personally, the only prospect I expect to have a meaningful contribution in the next 2 years is Foudy. Maybe Malinski on Defense.

I mean even if Kovalenko becomes a good 4th liner that'd be awesome. If Malinksi, Foudy and Foudy can just become 4th liners and a bottom pairing guy that would be quite massive for the next 2/3 seasons.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

I mean even if Kovalenko becomes a good 4th liner that'd be awesome. If Malinksi, Foudy and Foudy can just become 4th liners and a bottom pairing guy that would be quite massive for the next 2/3 seasons.

Personally, if we're gonna start cloning players, I think I'd be looking to clone Mackinnon or Makar first!


I dont think Kovalenko will be an NHL player.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Point being, Byram had and I think still has the potential of being a 1st pairing D-man. Lundell, on the other hand, will top as a #2.

At the moment, I think they are fairly comparable in terms of value. But the ceiling is higher for Byram, he's a higher pick and he's Canadian. Boosts his value IMO.

Its tough with how the team is constructed. If we re-sign Toews I think Byrams makes sense to move potentially. Moving Girard obviously makes the most sense as he's the worst of the LD, but I don't know if you get enough value from a Girard trade to make it worth it. Obviously you get the cap space from the trade, but there's a gaping hole at 2C post RyJo and I just don't know if Girard can return that; next year will be a big one for Girard and the Avs going forwards I think. The questions regarding the D and 2C will loom large over the season depending on how good/bad the season goes. I guess the question in the end is, can Girard get back to a level where he can be a positive on the 2nd pair or not. And would running him and a 2C from a Byram trade be more beneficial than whatever you'd get from a Girard trade?

Personally, if we're gonna start cloning players, I think I'd be looking to clone Mackinnon or Makar first!


I dont think Kovalenko will be an NHL player.

Shit when you put it that way you have a good point....

 

[Valushkin]

Personally, if we're gonna start cloning players, I think I'd be looking to clone Mackinnon or Makar first!


I dont think Kovalenko will be an NHL player.

I’d clone Georgiev so we don’t have to worry about back up goalie anymore when Francouz gets hurt again