cinchronicity
Registered User
The combination of Mitts' arrival, and Bednar's steadfast policy of 3rd line grinders, Ritchie ends up in no man's land. He's not the correct 3C for Bednar, and he is unlikely to displace Mitts any time soon. He should absolutely be in play for a trade.Ritchie, Gulyayev, our 1sts...
McG apparently plays C as well. There might be something in Landy - McG - LOC as a 3rd line. From what I can read in scouting reports, he'd be a better fit there than Ritchie. That would free CMac to try to move Colton.
Or:
Move Colton for a 1st, take that 1st, our 2025 1st and Gulyayev and trade that package for McG. Both firsts would be pretty late, but that would be giving 3 first rounders to Winnepeg. And it would keep Ritchie in the fold, in case CMac gets really clever and moves Mikko for a haul. Having Ritchie and McG on ELCs would certainly ease the pain of whatever cap penalty awaits for terminating Nuke.
I hate the idea of emptying the cupboard / cubbard but if the kid could actually play 3C, that would help with cap space, likely be an improvement over Colton, and give Bednar a player who might be able to move to wing when injuries occur ( really, the same as Colton but $3M cheaper, for now.)
Last time I say this: I do not think the Avs can win a cup with Mac at $12.6 and Mikko at $12.5 ( or $13+.) That said, if Ritchie stays, and McG can be obtained