Rumor: 2024-2025 Trade Rumors and Free Agency Talk | Part Deux

[avalanche_country]

Oh goodness, I can’t wait to reflect on how the Avs turned the Duchene deal into Girard, a 32 year old 4th line center and a soft floater who only wants to play hockey as if it were pond hockey and a competitor like Ryan Getzlaf absolutely hated. That would be quite the way to slam the door shut on the contention window

They turned it into a Cup. That trade is a winner no matter what happened since.

 

[MacKaRtin]

I know most of my posts aren't serious, so buckle up because one is coming...

I honestly think it's more of an HFAvs obsession to lust after a 2C who puts up 1C numbers like Kadri, who only did so for exactly one of three seasons here (coincidentally, the Cup winning season). I see over and over again that we call the team "incomplete" and "hopeless to win" without a 2C who would be a 1C on certain teams

But we had extensive debate on the board whether the Avs' team-building philosophy to prioritize having four difference-making wingers (Rants, Landy, Lehky, and Nuke) in offseason in 2022 was the correct one, and as I recall, it was Henchy mainly driving the narrative that only 1 team had won the Cup in the past 20 years or whatever without 2 star centers

Then Vegas wins the Cup in 2023 with Chandler Stephenson as 2C. What they did have is 4 lines that play hard, a huge defense corps 3 pairs deep, and Eichel leading the way

But the Avalanche haven't won the Cup in the last two years, so it must be because we haven't had that 2C! Instead of, say, the team being not as deep as Vegas or the Panthers, or being missing two impact wingers who we were counting on to drive lines

What I really liked watching the Edmonton game is that it looked like Bednar had three lines he could trust to put out at even strength. Yes, the Mitts line wasn't one of them. But if the Mitts line had Nichushkin (who actually made Jost look like a decent NHL player in 2020-2021), you bet that line would be out there too

If Nichushkin comes back after the break and stays healthy and clean (big if, I know), I think our team will look very good--we will finally have an established 3C (Drury) thanks to the Rantanen trade, and 4 top end top 6 wingers, two of which will be with Mitts or whoever else is in his place

In closing, even if we don't find that white whale "2C who's really a low end 1C," it's not hopeless. Sure, upgrade Mitts or find a better stylistic fit than Mitts if you can, but if I were GM, I would focus more on finding depth, especially defensive depth. One Josh Manson injury and we were playing Malinski-Girard as second pairing this week. THAT is what I think doesn't survive in the playoffs

 

[Tommy Shelby]

They need a 2C if they trade Mittelstadt though.

Oh it's not for a Mitts trade, the Ducks are flush with Centres, but what they don't have are 2nd round picks, and we happen to have 2 of them. They also have ample Cap space to use for retaining 50% of a contract

 

[dahrougem2]

I know most of my posts aren't serious, so buckle up because one is coming...

I honestly think it's more of an HFAvs obsession to lust after a 2C who puts up 1C numbers like Kadri, who only did so for exactly one of three seasons here (coincidentally, the Cup winning season). I see over and over again that we call the team "incomplete" and "hopeless to win" without a 2C who would be a 1C on certain teams

But we had extensive debate on the board whether the Avs' team-building philosophy to prioritize having four difference-making wingers (Rants, Landy, Lehky, and Nuke) in offseason in 2022 was the correct one, and as I recall, it was Henchy mainly driving the narrative that only 1 team had won the Cup in the past 20 years or whatever without 2 star centers

Then Vegas wins the Cup in 2023 with Chandler Stephenson as 2C. What they did have is 4 lines that play hard, a huge defense corps 3 pairs deep, and Eichel leading the way

But the Avalanche haven't won the Cup in the last two years, so it must be because we haven't had that 2C! Instead of, say, the team being not as deep as Vegas or the Panthers, or being missing two impact wingers who we were counting on to drive lines

What I really liked watching the Edmonton game is that it looked like Bednar had three lines he could trust to put out at even strength. Yes, the Mitts line wasn't one of them. But if the Mitts line had Nichushkin (who actually made Jost look like a decent NHL player in 2020-2021), you bet that line would be out there too

If Nichushkin comes back after the break and stays healthy and clean (big if, I know), I think our team will look very good--we will finally have an established 3C (Drury) thanks to the Rantanen trade, and 4 top end top 6 wingers, two of which will be with Mitts or whoever else is in his place

In closing, even if we don't find that white whale "2C who's really a low end 1C," it's not hopeless. Sure, upgrade Mitts or find a better stylistic fit than Mitts if you can, but if I were GM, I would focus more on finding depth, especially defensive depth. One Josh Manson injury and we were playing Malinski-Girard as second pairing this week. THAT is what I think doesn't survive in the playoffs

If you truly believe in a 7 game series the Avalanche can get by playing Wood - Drury - Colton and Kiviranta - Kelly - O'Connor big minutes because Bednar hates Casey Mittelstadt, I'd like to refer you to 2023.

Compher, Rodrigues, O'Connor, Nieto, Cogliano, Eller, etc. Hard working skaters with zero offense. In a 7 game series that gets exposed in a major, major way.

If the 2nd line can't produce, this team is cooked.

 

[forsbergavs32]

CMac please make a trade within the next 3 hours. I need something to discuss since I won’t be watching the Kansas City Refs win another Super Bowl

 

[myperbixhurts]

No Zegras please. He’d probably be another Mitts situation. Will come in, have that initial new team bump where he plays well, then frustrates the hell out of us and CMac goes back to shopping for another 2C, and the cycle won’t stop

 

[hockeyfish]

I know most of my posts aren't serious, so buckle up because one is coming...

I honestly think it's more of an HFAvs obsession to lust after a 2C who puts up 1C numbers like Kadri, who only did so for exactly one of three seasons here (coincidentally, the Cup winning season). I see over and over again that we call the team "incomplete" and "hopeless to win" without a 2C who would be a 1C on certain teams

But we had extensive debate on the board whether the Avs' team-building philosophy to prioritize having four difference-making wingers (Rants, Landy, Lehky, and Nuke) in offseason in 2022 was the correct one, and as I recall, it was Henchy mainly driving the narrative that only 1 team had won the Cup in the past 20 years or whatever without 2 star centers

Then Vegas wins the Cup in 2023 with Chandler Stephenson as 2C. What they did have is 4 lines that play hard, a huge defense corps 3 pairs deep, and Eichel leading the way

But the Avalanche haven't won the Cup in the last two years, so it must be because we haven't had that 2C! Instead of, say, the team being not as deep as Vegas or the Panthers, or being missing two impact wingers who we were counting on to drive lines

What I really liked watching the Edmonton game is that it looked like Bednar had three lines he could trust to put out at even strength. Yes, the Mitts line wasn't one of them. But if the Mitts line had Nichushkin (who actually made Jost look like a decent NHL player in 2020-2021), you bet that line would be out there too

If Nichushkin comes back after the break and stays healthy and clean (big if, I know), I think our team will look very good--we will finally have an established 3C (Drury) thanks to the Rantanen trade, and 4 top end top 6 wingers, two of which will be with Mitts or whoever else is in his place

In closing, even if we don't find that white whale "2C who's really a low end 1C," it's not hopeless. Sure, upgrade Mitts or find a better stylistic fit than Mitts if you can, but if I were GM, I would focus more on finding depth, especially defensive depth. One Josh Manson injury and we were playing Malinski-Girard as second pairing this week. THAT is what I think doesn't survive in the playoffs

I think most of us have a realistic idea of what a 2C should be. We want a guy who can put up 50-60 points, win some draws, play with pace and energy, maybe PK, and make his linemates better. That hasn’t been Mitts since the 1st month.

 

[hockeyfish]

Since November 1st, Mitts points/82 games is 34. That is 3rd line level at best, but without any characteristics that 3rd line guys should bring.

 

[niwotsblessing]

CMac please make a trade within the next 3 hours. I need something to discuss since I won’t be watching the Kansas City Refs win another Super Bowl

 

[Richard88]

What is a Kuraly and why does it cost 2.5M?

6'2" 213lb 4th line center who plays physical and kills penalties. Career high 30 points.

 

[MacKaRtin]

If you truly believe in a 7 game series the Avalanche can get by playing Wood - Drury - Colton and Kiviranta - Kelly - O'Connor big minutes because Bednar hates Casey Mittelstadt, I'd like to refer you to 2023.

Compher, Rodrigues, O'Connor, Nieto, Cogliano, Eller, etc. Hard working skaters with zero offense. In a 7 game series that gets exposed in a major, major way.

If the 2nd line can't produce, this team is cooked.

Colton won a Cup playing third line in Tampa, contributing offense along the way, and Drury seems like he has some offense to unlock too. I don't think it's anywhere as close to as dire as it was in 2023

Plus we have Drouin and Nuke as top 6 contributors, whereas in 2023, by the end of that series it was literally just MacK, Rantanen, and Lehky (JT2C had been demoted to third line)

And I do think once Nuke is back, we'll figure out the right mix for the top 6, whether that's Drury, Mitts, or the shiny new toy at center. Necas carried Kotkaniemi this year, and Nuke had carried Jost. I'm not worried

 

[Mighty Makar]

Nuke will get suspended soon. You all know it, then we’re f***ed.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Oh I don't know that I agree. @Balthazar knows my disdain for Cozens. Guy never met a dangle attempt he didn't like.

Like Kadri?

In all seriousness I’m sure Cozens looks much better away from the dumpster fire that is the Sabres.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Mittelstadt rankings among players who have taken a minimum of 400 faceoffs this year:

xGF - 68th
CF% - 61st
Points - 66th

I don’t want to hear that our expectations of our 2C are simply too high.

Mittelstadt is playing like either a high end 3C or the worst 2C in the NHL.

Take your pick, it’s not good enough.

 

[BobRossColton]

I know Kivi is truly favored by Bednar, would you guys add him to a trade?

Wood+Kiviranta+

Jones@7+donato(kurashev)

 

[avalanche_country]

Nuke will get suspended soon. You all know it, then we’re f***ed.

I agree, lost in everything is an almost certainty he screws up again. It’s just when, not an if imo.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I know Kivi is truly favored by Bednar, would you guys add him to a trade?

Wood+Kiviranta+

Jones@7+donato(kurashev)

Uh, sure? We are getting the two best players in that trade by a mile lol. Wood arguably has negative value and Kivi is an impending UFA. That + would be substantial.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Hey Bob... you need to up the difficulty. What do you think of a four way deal?

ANA: Wood, Colton, MIN's 1st (from CBJ)
CHI: Malinski, Ritchie, 1st
CBJ: Mittlestadt, and a portion of Jones' cap hit
COL: Zegras, Jones (with retention hopefully from both CHI and CBJ)

 

[forsbergavs32]

Hey Bob... you need to up the difficulty. What do you think of a four way deal?

ANA: Wood, Colton, MIN's 1st (from CBJ), NYR's 2nd (from Avs)
CHI: Malinski, Ritchie, 1st
CBJ: Mittlestadt, and a portion of Jones' cap hit
COL: Zegras, Jones (with retention hopefully from both CHI and CBJ)

f*** that, it’s time for the ultimate in trading. A 32 way deal

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Hey Bob... you need to up the difficulty. What do you think of a four way deal?

ANA: Wood, Colton, MIN's 1st (from CBJ), NYR's 2nd (from Avs)
CHI: Malinski, Ritchie, 1st
CBJ: Mittlestadt, and a portion of Jones' cap hit
COL: Zegras, Jones (with retention hopefully from both CHI and CBJ)

Anaheim gets 1st+2nd+Colton+Wood for a guy who scored 6 goals last year and has 6 goals so far this year?

We are trading 1st+2nd+Mitts+Malinski+Ritchie+Colton+Wood?

 

[BobRossColton]

I just know teams want those proven PK 'ers and puck hounds, Kivi has definitely been that for us

 

[myperbixhurts]

Nuke will get suspended soon. You all know it, then we’re f***ed.

Not really. His contract will be terminated and we will use that money to get a new player

 

[dahrougem2]

Colton won a Cup playing third line in Tampa, contributing offense along the way, and Drury seems like he has some offense to unlock too. I don't think it's anywhere as close to as dire as it was in 2023

Plus we have Drouin and Nuke as top 6 contributors, whereas in 2023, by the end of that series it was literally just MacK, Rantanen, and Lehky (JT2C had been demoted to third line)

And I do think once Nuke is back, we'll figure out the right mix for the top 6, whether that's Drury, Mitts, or the shiny new toy at center. Necas carried Kotkaniemi this year, and Nuke had carried Jost. I'm not worried

Colton won a cup playing 4th line, not 3rd line, while Tampa's center depth was Point/Cirelli/Gourde. That is very, very different than MacKinnon/Mittelstadt/Drury, and I like Drury a lot.

Again, nobody is asking for prime Kadri here. What we want is for a better fit at 2C. Someone who can skate and won't suck the life out of that line the way 37 has.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Anaheim gets 1st+2nd+Colton+Wood for a guy who scored 6 goals last year and has 6 goals so far this year?

We are trading 1st+2nd+Mitts+Malinski+Ritchie+Colton+Wood?

But I thought their were rules:
1. Jones heavily retained to the Avs.
2. AVs are getting Zegras from the Ducks.
3. CBJ wants Mitts, but has nothing of value but Minny's 1st really...oh and glorious retention slots and boatloads of cap-space available and quite frankly needing to be filled to get to the floor next season.
4. We all want Colton and Wood gone, which I actually feel like we need to pay someone for as they would be doing us a real solid.

Okay...now that I think about it. I should probably remove Malinski from the deal. Happy?




I hope you realize this whole thing is a lark.

 

[Richard88]

I just know teams want those proven PK 'ers and puck hounds, Kivi has definitely been that for us

Yeah I wouldn't be looking to trade him, but if a trade partner is insisting on him being included in a deal for a 2C then I don't think it's something to lose sleep over.