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

[RoyIsALegend]

Bednar thinks he still has a 2 year old greyhound with endless legs and speed, when in truth we are a 5-6 year old golden retriever. We can still move quickly, but we get tired and we aren't racing dogs.

 

[Miri]

I have gone back and forth on the "trade Mikko" debate but I'll be honest: I don't see the Avs competing for the Stanley Cup this year. Not with how shitty our injury luck has been and how poorly the team has played for 3 months.

Saint Louis were absolute garbage in 2019 or 20 for half a season. Then they went on to win a Cup. With a team significantly less star-studded than current Avs.

I vaguely remember New Jersey Devils being shite back in 2000, then trading for Mogilny, changing coach, winning a Cup.

Outside of injuries, i think are chances are good. Play-offs are coin-toss. Just one lost game hanging on shitty puck-bounce and you are out. Despite winning 60 games during a regular season.

 

[dahrougem2]

Saint Louis were absolute garbage in 2019 or 20 for half a season. Then they went on to win a Cup. With a team significantly less star-studded than current Avs.

I vaguely remember New Jersey Devils being shite back in 2000, then trading for Mogilny, changing coach, winning a Cup.

Outside of injuries, i think are chances are good. Play-offs are coin-toss. Just one lost game hanging on shitty puck-bounce and you are out. Despite winning 60 games during a regular season.

Ask yourself if our roster is as deep as that Blues cup winning roster.

 

[JoeSakic13]

Bednar thinks he still has a 2 year old greyhound with endless legs and speed, when in truth we are a 5-6 year old golden retriever. We can still move quickly, but we get tired and we aren't racing dogs.

If we had a greyhound, Kyle Dubas would have traded for him

 

[Gumballhead]

Bednar thinks he still has a 2 year old greyhound with endless legs and speed, when in truth we are a 5-6 year old golden retriever. We can still move quickly, but we get tired and we aren't racing dogs.

Do you have to sexualize everything, RIAL?

 

[Miri]

Ask yourself if our roster is as deep as that Blues cup winning roster.

So you actually think that roster was better than ours?

 

[shadow1]

That first part is the problem.

Actually, scratch that. The first part and that 2nd part are both the problem.

In truth, I'm not entirely certain if the issue with Colorado this year, is motivation. Or injuries. As @Bender has said several times, they seem off, seem stale. Could be, they're just not all that good at playing hockey together.

I think what we're seeing is a byproduct of too many guys playing one station too high.

Many nights, it's fine. The team either looks great, or can squeeze out a victory based on top-end talent alone. But during games when Colorado's marquee names don't have it, it becomes glaring how out of place the Kelly trio is as a third line, and how much of a black hole the team's AHL caliber 4th line is. Pepper in a few other examples, like Colton and de Haan playing too much, and you have a team that's wildly unpredictable from game-to-game.

Personally, I don't think the Avs can hot streak their way to a Cup with the current roster. A good team that can win a series, sure. But they're three skaters away (1F/2D) in my opinion, in addition to the healthy returns of Nichushkin/Wood.

 

[JLo217]

Bednar thinks he still has a 2 year old greyhound with endless legs and speed, when in truth we are a 5-6 year old golden retriever. We can still move quickly, but we get tired and we aren't racing dogs.

Sounds like you're either saying Bednar needs to adapt, or they need a coaching change....

 

[JoeSakic13]

So you actually think that roster was better than ours?

We might only have five 20 goal scorers. This squad is doomed.

 

[Gumballhead]

We might only have five 20 goal scorers. This squad is doomed.

Also maybe 20 five goal scorers.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Further to that, there were rumours last off-season that Chicago wanted a top 6 forward with Nichushkin mentioned. LeBrun shot it down saying that it was too risky for Chicago, but I wonder if they still feel that way 6 months later. There's obviously still risk but maybe they think it's worthwhile, especially if it helps them move Jones' contract too.

Blackhawks Trade Rumors: Saying No to Nichushkin

Another day, another article on Chicago Blackhawks trade rumors roundup which continue to have an ember here or there. This one includes a new name and looks at some of the old. But it’s not only trade, but potentially just going to the free market, too. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Martin...

chicagohockeynow.com

Off-Season Watch: Blackhawks looking to make a splash? | TSN

While the Stanley Cup Final continues, the NHL's off-season is rapidly approaching with the NHL Draft starting on June 28 and Free Agent Frenzy on July 1. TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.

www.tsn.ca

Why would they be sending their GM to watch games the player isn't playing in?

 

[Gumballhead]

Why would they be sending their GM to watch games the player isn't playing in?

Galactic chess, the no-look scout.

 

[dahrougem2]

So you actually think that roster was better than ours?

From top to bottom? Without question.

We have the two best players in MacKinnon and Makar but ask yourself in a 7 game series which roster you're taking:

Drouin - MacKinnon - Rantanen
Lehkonen - Mittelstadt - Nichushkin
Wood - Colton - O'Connor
Kiviranta - Kelly - Ivan/Parssinen

Toews - Makar
Girard - Manson
De Haan - Malinski

vs

(keep in mind these Blues players are all 5 years younger)

Schwartz - Schenn - Tarasenko
Sanford - O'Reilly - Perron
Maroon - Bozak - Barbashev
Blais - Sundqvist - Steen

Gunnarsson - Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester - Parayko
Dunn - Edmundson

Their D is without question better than ours, their center depth is better than ours despite us rostering the best center in MacKinnon and their winger depth - again at that time - is better than ours.

This Avs roster needs a lot of work. Two new third pairing defensemen, and one but ideally two 3rd line wingers to push Wood and O'Connor down a line.

Otherwise in a 7 game series give me that Blues lineup all day, every day. They won the cup for a reason and it wasn't just Jordan Binnington.

 

[Balthazar]

So you actually think that roster was better than ours?

I'd put a lot of money on the 2019 Blues against the 2025 Avs in a 7 game playoff round.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I have gone back and forth on the "trade Mikko" debate but I'll be honest: I don't see the Avs competing for the Stanley Cup this year. Not with how shitty our injury luck has been and how poorly the team has played for 3 months.

I also do not believe the team is a top-3 Central club moving forward allocating 12.5M or more to a near-30 year old Rantanen who is showing quite clearly this year more than ever he NEEDS Nathan MacKinnon to produce.

If Carolina for example would give us Nikishin and a 1st, I take it and run. Idk if they would, but I would target a very highly regarded prospect and a 1st to both create cap space and plug a big hole in the lineup for next season. Use the 1st in a trade to help up front.

All that said, I refuse to believe Avs management thinks this way. I believe they eventually cave and give Mikko 12.75M and the team's top guys play 30 per night next season.

I'm not against it at all... But whiffing on a Mikko trade could just as easily f*** this team up. I do not envy CMac going into the deadline with this Mikko situation. Threading the needle on this situation is going to be damn hard.

 

[PAZ]

From top to bottom? Without question.

We have the two best players in MacKinnon and Makar but ask yourself in a 7 game series which roster you're taking:

Drouin - MacKinnon - Rantanen
Lehkonen - Mittelstadt - Nichushkin
Wood - Colton - O'Connor
Kiviranta - Kelly - Ivan/Parssinen

Toews - Makar
Girard - Manson
De Haan - Malinski

vs

(keep in mind these Blues players are all 5 years younger)

Schwartz - Schenn - Tarasenko
Sanford - O'Reilly - Perron
Maroon - Bozak - Barbashev
Blais - Sundqvist - Steen

Gunnarsson - Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester - Parayko
Dunn - Edmundson

Their D is without question better than ours, their center depth is better than ours despite us rostering the best center in MacKinnon and their winger depth - again at that time - is better than ours.

This Avs roster needs a lot of work. Two new third pairing defensemen, and one but ideally two 3rd line wingers to push Wood and O'Connor down a line.

Otherwise in a 7 game series give me that Blues lineup all day, every day. They won the cup for a reason and it wasn't just Jordan Binnington.

On paper I actually don'tt think that 2019 Blues roster is better. We're talking about a 34 yr old Gunnarsson and 37 yr old Bouwmeester in their top 4. Dunn and Edmundson were bottom 4 defensemen at the time. Their bottom 6 also was decent but not stacked and they didn't have any true gamebreaker.

Don't get me wrong I think the 2019 Blues still beat this current iteration of the Avs, but not because they were better on paper. They were simply playing really good hockey, bought into the system, and got hot at the right time.

This year's Avs on paper could easily be a cup contender. There just isn't the chemistry and buy-in that's required to win the cup.

 

[dahrougem2]

On paper I actually don'tt think that 2019 Blues roster is better. We're talking about a 34 yr old Gunnarsson and 37 yr old Bouwmeester in their top 4. Dunn and Edmundson were bottom 4 defensemen at the time. Their bottom 6 also was decent but not stacked and they didn't have any true gamebreaker.

Don't get me wrong I think the 2019 Blues still beat this current iteration of the Avs, but not because they were better on paper. They were simply playing really good hockey, bought into the system, and got hot at the right time.

This year's Avs on paper could easily be a cup contender. There just isn't the chemistry and buy-in that's required to win the cup.

I disagree that this year's Avs could be a cup contender. Not when you're running - if healthy - Miles Wood and Logan O'Connor as 3rd line wings and Ross Colton playing center instead of wing, while Casey Mittelstadt looks the way he does and having a 3rd pairing literally incapable of seeing the ice because it's so bad.

Nevertheless, it's fantasy talk.

 

[Jasenr]

I disagree that this year's Avs could be a cup contender. Not when you're running - if healthy - Miles Wood and Logan O'Connor as 3rd line wings and Ross Colton playing center instead of wing, while Casey Mittelstadt looks the way he does and having a 3rd pairing literally incapable of seeing the ice because it's so bad.

Nevertheless, it's fantasy talk.

You missed Manson. Ive lost count how many times Ive been shouting to tv what the hell is he doing. Also it seems other teams are allowing regularly Manson to go though then just because he is that bad at scoring. Its not once or twice he is allowed a breakaway just to absolutely asswipe it. And in defence yeah he can tackle guys but takes horendous amount of penalties.

Get rid of him when he has some trade value.

 

[Bender]

I disagree that this year's Avs could be a cup contender. Not when you're running - if healthy - Miles Wood and Logan O'Connor as 3rd line wings and Ross Colton playing center instead of wing, while Casey Mittelstadt looks the way he does and having a 3rd pairing literally incapable of seeing the ice because it's so bad.

Nevertheless, it's fantasy talk.

It's pointless talk but - you can't specifically talk about Mittelstadt and the way he's looked now without factoring in how he looked to start the season. You can't pick and choose what you want and when you want to compare it to a team that went on to win it all. The answer is somewhere in the middle (mittel ha!). Despite his struggles, he's still on pace for a 50+ point season.

You also can't compare them to the 2025 Avs as we've never played even 1 game this season without at least two top-6 forwards out of the lineup.

You're the one who mentioned it and you're right - when you have improperly slotted guys in your lineup, it's not something that is sustainable for a team that wants to win. We've had guys improperly slotted all season long.

 

[Tralfamadore]

The other part to think of with a Rantanen trade is how it will effect the locker room. He's a core guy, an assistant captain who was a huge part of the wining culture and Stanley Cup win. Might be hard for the team to move on from that mid season.

 

[Bender]

The other part to think of with a Rantanen trade is how it will effect the locker room. He's a core guy, an assistant captain who was a huge part of the wining culture and Stanley Cup win. Might be hard for the team to move on from that mid season.

Personally, I think his friends and teammates will be happy for him but I don't believe it's going to negatively affect the room - in fact, I think it's the opposite.

I don't think any of the top players on that team want to see him sign for more than MacKinnon and thereby potentially limiting their future chances at winning again.

 

[Richard88]

Why would they be sending their GM to watch games the player isn't playing in?

Could be that he's looking at players who could be the secondary piece of a trade. Like Malinski for example, if a trade was something like Nichushkin + Malinski for Jones ($2m retained)+

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Could be that he's looking at players who could be the secondary piece of a trade. Like Malinski for example, if a trade was something like Nichushkin + Malinski for Jones ($2m retained)+

Malinski didn’t play either lol

 

[CobraAcesS]

Could be that he's looking at players who could be the secondary piece of a trade. Like Malinski for example, if a trade was something like Nichushkin + Malinski for Jones ($2m retained)+

I guess I could see CMac thinking it's a good idea to trade our best all around winger. Especially since we know Landeskog will return not having skipped a beat.

 

[Tralfamadore]

Personally, I think his friends and teammates will be happy for him but I don't believe it's going to negatively affect the room - in fact, I think it's the opposite.

I don't think any of the top players on that team want to see him sign for more than MacKinnon and thereby potentially limiting their future chances at winning again.

Ya maybe. It's just a big presence leaving the room.