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

[Tommy Shelby]

What about a more of a cost controlled Hawks Defenseman. Connor Murphy ? 4.40 through 26-27

Way too slow and way too limited puck skills for this team, Bednar would hate him

 

[hockeyfish]

The biggest thing for me is, he can step in really take minutes off Makar's plate, pk, and reliably move up to the top pair *when Makar is injured.

That is extremely valuable insurance, and makes it more likely that Makar is at his best in the playoffs, and not nursing injuries from blocking shots on the PK.

Makar will have a better career with a player like Jones behind him on the right side.

He PK quite a bit, well over 2 minutes per game in his career. I've heard he does it well too.

 

[Bender]

What about a more of a cost controlled Hawks Defenseman. Connor Murphy ? 4.40 through 26-27

He's always injured

 

[dahrougem2]

He's always injured

Fit right in

 

[hockeyfish]

He's always injured

Think I heard something about a significant groin injury with him. I thought it could be an option, but don't think so now.

 

[CobraAcesS]

He PK quite a bit, well over 2 minutes per game in his career. I've heard he does it well too.

He's the perfect other side of the coin to Makar. Good defensively still very mobile, better than Toews on the power play, and can eat real minutes.

Maybe he isn't a Norris candidate #1, but he's a legit all situations defender.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

He's the perfect other side of the coin to Makar. Good defensively still very mobile, better than Toews on the power play, and can eat real minutes.

Maybe he isn't a Norris candidate #1, but he's a legit all situations defender.

Well, he’s a beast on the PK but has struggled defensively 5v5 as a result of trying to do too much and being relied upon for offense as well. He’s also always out there against the other teams best players in all situations.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Well, he’s a beast on the PK but has struggled defensively 5v5 as a result of trying to do too much and being relied upon for offense as well. He’s also always out there against the other teams best players in all situations.

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This is precisely why I think he'd do so well here. Doesn't have to be "The guy" that he's been in Chicago his entire tenure. Can settle in nicely on the 2nd pairing behind Cale/Toews and IMO he and G would feast together in that role.

Also allows you to slot Manson down into the 3rd pairing where his minutes and responsibilities would be pulled back as well.


...Yeah, Jones is the guy I want. Dont think I want him at $9.5M but if Chicago is willing to retain and you can get him at ~$7.5M, yeah that'd be ideal.

 

[dahrougem2]

Well, he’s a beast on the PK but has struggled defensively 5v5 as a result of trying to do too much and being relied upon for offense as well. He’s also always out there against the other teams best players in all situations.

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That is wild. I don't know that I have ever seen a defensemen struggle so much at 5v5 but excel on the PK while being good offensively at 5v5.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

That is wild. I don't know that I have ever seen a defensemen struggle so much at 5v5 but excel on the PK while being good offensively at 5v5.

They struggle so bad that he’s expected to drive the offense at even strength, which he does, but ends up getting killed defensively for it. 24 points in 35 games.

In a vacuum, he is actually a good defender. The PK numbers show that because he’s actually in his own zone and not getting caught up ice like even strength.

He can skate very well, active stick, strong passer, plays the body, minute muncher, etc. There actually isn’t anything that he sucks at.

 

[Balthazar]

It's not about how much he's worth or how big of a risk he is, it's about how much cap space we want to allow to defense.

In the unlikely event where they agree to retain 2M, do we want a 7.5M + 5M second pairing? With a guy making 4M on the 3rd pairing? All that while having one of the most expensive 1st pairing in the league? Does it make sense to any of you?

 

[EdAVSfan]

It's not about how much he's worth or how big of a risk he is, it's about how much cap space we want to allow to defense.

In the unlikely event where they agree to retain 2M, do we want 7.5M + 5M second pairing? With a guy making 4M on the 3rd pair? All that while having one of the most expensive 1st pairing in the league? Does it make sense to any of you?

Manson obviously would need to get traded in the offseason in this case.

 

[Balthazar]

Manson obviously would need to get traded in the offseason in this case.

Then next year we have a very expensive top 4 with Malinski level crap on the 3rd pair again.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

He just costs way too much

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Jones at full cost, but they have to take Miles Wood and CDH

 

[lionsDen]

Not to mention cost to retain, and his positive value7.6 I don’t think the avs have what it takes asset wise

 

[EdAVSfan]

Then next year we have a very expensive top 4 with Malinski level crap on the 3rd pair again.

It really depends. There’s still too much uncertainty with Landeskog. What will Drouin cost? Will Ritchie take a spot in the top 9?
It’s definitely feasible to have Jones around 7ish. It’s only 2.5 more than we’re spending now on D.
And there’s definitely some places to shave some cap off the roster.

I can’t say for certain if it’s a good idea to get him because there’s way too much info that i don’t have. But I can say that having another dependable minute munching RD is still a priority. The AVS will still need to get one anyways eventually since Manson only has next year left on his contract.
How much do you think top 4 RDs are signing for in 2026 when the cap is 100M?

I’ll tell you this. We’re downright lucky that Makar hasn’t missed much time at all the last year and a half. So having a better 2RD is more important to me than having a better 3rd pair.

 

[The Pwnerer]

I wish all the Davidson smoke was really about Jones. Having him on the 2nd pairing would be a incredible luxury. Jones would thrive not having to be the number 1 on our team. Having the ability to roll a top 4 of Makar, Toews, Jones and Girard for 20+ mins on any given night....that's a better dcore then we had in 2022.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

It's not about how much he's worth or how big of a risk he is, it's about how much cap space we want to allow to defense.

In the unlikely event where they agree to retain 2M, do we want a 7.5M + 5M second pairing? With a guy making 4M on the 3rd pairing? All that while having one of the most expensive 1st pairing in the league? Does it make sense to any of you?

Well, here's how I look at it...

My priorities, for trade deadline improvements, are as follows:

1. A 2nd line center
2. 1 or 2 depth defensemen

It doesn't look like there are any good options available for 2C, nor do I think the Avs will give up on Mitts already. For reasons we've discussed in the past, he's our best option; age, contract, etc. We need him to work. There legitimately aren't any good upgrade options available.

So, if we can't upgrade at 2C, let's move onto the second priority.

Instead of adding these depth defensemen, what if we can just shift Manson down to the third pairing and bring in an impact D? A top 4 of Toews-Makar and Girard-Jones would be the best top 4 in the NHL, in my humble opinion. Jones would be a fantastic addition. We want better depth? Okay, Josh Manson becomes our 5D and suddenly the 6D doesn't really have to be that good. "Playoff" Manson on a third pair is a luxury. We want Cale to play less minutes? Ok, Jones/Manson do the PKing on RD and Cale is fresher/healthier.

Regarding the salary, I'd want about 2.5m retained to bring him down to 7m AAV. I don't really have big concerns on him regressing poorly through his 30s, he's a fantastic athlete and much better skater than guys his size. If you're going to spend money, spend it in the right areas.

Dump Wood and Kylington($3.55m combined) somewhere. I don't give a shit. Activate Landy for the playoffs and he takes Wood's spot anyways.

We're all-in, right? Then let's f***ing go all-in. Juggernaut top 5 defensemen.

I'll worry about the offseason in the offseason. Colton can be traded on July 1st when his full NTC expires. Manson can go, sure. Weaken the bottom pairing by trading Manson? Don't we have a bad bottom pairing right now? The point is our top 4 would be incredible and better than our top 4 right now. The bottom pairing for next year could always be improved on towards next trade deadline, the point is we'd have an amazing top 4.

In the offseason, you can trade guys like Manson and Colton. Both move to limited no-trade clauses. Both players will still have value, IMO.

Do you like the player, Balty? If the money works, do you think he considerably improves our team?

Not to mention cost to retain, and his positive value7.6 I don’t think the avs have what it takes asset wise

Seth Jones has a full NMC, so much like JT Miller, his value would be lower because of the protection clause. He chooses where he wants to go. That's the appeal of Denver to him. He's born in Denver, his dad is Assistant GM of the Nuggets, etc. If we're serious, he could simply tell Chicago that it's "Colorado or nothing" like Miller did with the Canucks, Giroux did with the Flyers, Hertl did with the Sharks, etc. With NMCs, the player is the one in control and the value is significantly impacted because of it.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Well, he’s a beast on the PK but has struggled defensively 5v5 as a result of trying to do too much and being relied upon for offense as well. He’s also always out there against the other teams best players in all situations.

View attachment 971668

I think he has to sacrifice one for the other situationally. He's not a Headman level defender.

From what I've seen he's good when he's back, has a good gap, and has more than enough size/skating to stop a cycle single handedly and clear the net. If he had Girard retrieving pucks I think he'd be perfect for the role.

He's kinda like EJ actually. Not a true sure fire #1 but can lean either way on offense or defense if you're willing to sacrifice production or defense depending.

He'd be about as good as you could ask for filling in on the power play, and absolutely solid not having to quarterback the offense.

It's as good as you could ever ask for running the second pairing with the ability to step up and cover a #1 role when needed.

I think he'd impact the entire team defense and offense. Like a 2C, but on your defense.

 

[The Merchant]

I wish all the Davidson smoke was really about Jones. Having him on the 2nd pairing would be a incredible luxury. Jones would thrive not having to be the number 1 on our team. Having the ability to roll a top 4 of Makar, Toews, Jones and Girard for 20+ mins on any given night....that's a better dcore then we had in 2022.

It's really not. You're essentially just swapping out Bo with Jones, who was exceptional on both ends throughout most of that run. We had the luxury of essentially rotating three #3 defensemen on that middle pair on any given night with EJ and JMFJ rounding out the bottom...which is a far cry from the liabilities we currently have in CDH, Middleton and Kylington. That '22 team was exceptionally deep and, more importantly, balanced. This team...not so much.

 

[EdAVSfan]

Well, here's how I look at it...

My priorities, for trade deadline improvements, are as follows:

1. A 2nd line center
2. 1 or 2 depth defensemen

It doesn't look like there are any good options available for 2C, nor do I think the Avs will give up on Mitts already. For reasons we've discussed in the past, he's our best option; age, contract, etc. We need him to work. There legitimately aren't any good upgrade options available.

So, if we can't upgrade at 2C, let's move onto the second priority.

Instead of adding these depth defensemen, what if we can just shift Manson down to the third pairing and bring in an impact D? A top 4 of Toews-Makar and Girard-Jones would be the best top 4 in the NHL, in my humble opinion. Jones would be a fantastic addition. We want better depth? Okay, Josh Manson becomes our 5D and suddenly the 6D doesn't really have to be that good. "Playoff" Manson on a third pair is a luxury.

Regarding the salary, I'd want about 2.5m retained to bring him down to 7m AAV. I don't really have big concerns on him regressing poorly through his 30s, he's a fantastic athlete and much better skater than guys his size. If you're going to spend money, spend it in the right areas.

Dump Wood and Kylington($3.55m combined) somewhere.

We're all-in, right? Then let's f***ing go all-in. Juggernaut top 5 defensemen.

I'll worry about the offseason in the offseason. Colton can be traded on July 1st when his full NTC expires. Manson can go, sure. Weaken the bottom pairing? Don't we have a bad bottom pairing right now? The point is our top 4 would be incredible and better than our top 4 right now. The bottom pairing for next year could always be improved on towards next trade deadline, the point is we'd have an amazing top 4.

In the offseason, you can trade guys like and Colton. Both move to limited no-trade clauses. Both players will still have value, IMO.



Seth Jones has a full NMC, so much like JT Miller, his value would be lower because of the protection clause. He chooses where he wants to go. That's the appeal of Denver to him. He's born in Denver, his dad is Assistant GM of the Nuggets, etc. If we're serious, he could simply tell Chicago that it's "Colorado or nothing" like Miller did with the Canucks, Giroux did with the Flyers, Hertl did with the Sharks, etc. With NMCs, the player is the one in control and the value is significantly impacted because of it.

This is my thinking also.

I’d rather have a Jones on the 2nd pair for 2.5M more and a 2M third pairing, than have Manson as the 2RD and spend 4ish M on the 3rd pair.

Here’s how I see it. Manson will need to be replaced soon anyways. It’s already very difficult to find top 4 RDs in the league. Then, is that RD a fit for how this team needs its defensemen to play? Is that RD even available? If he is, what does he cost to get? What will be his cap hit?

If you can get Jones at around 7 without completely gutting your D, it has to be explored. We’re playing with fire right now with Manson as Makar’s backup to the first pairing.

 

[willy702]

Have the Hawks even confirmed they want to move on from Jones? They have zero cap issues and seem to want to build up the team around Bedard so why would they move him unless they get blown away by a proposal? This isn't a guy they can't resign or playing out a deal so get some value for him. He's a legit core member and I don't see why everyone in here is all over this move as if CMac better make it happen or else.

 

[EdAVSfan]

Have the Hawks even confirmed they want to move on from Jones? They have zero cap issues and seem to want to build up the team around Bedard so why would they move him unless they get blown away by a proposal? This isn't a guy they can't resign or playing out a deal so get some value for him. He's a legit core member and I don't see why everyone in here is all over this move as if CMac better make it happen or else.

Nah, we’re just spitballing here based on the Chicago GM scouting from a while back.
I don’t think anyone here thinks this is a « do it or else » move. All we’re saying is that IF he’s available and wants to waive to come here, the Avs should absolutely be exploring it.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Have the Hawks even confirmed they want to move on from Jones? They have zero cap issues and seem to want to build up the team around Bedard so why would they move him unless they get blown away by a proposal? This isn't a guy they can't resign or playing out a deal so get some value for him. He's a legit core member and I don't see why everyone in here is all over this move as if CMac better make it happen or else.

Who is saying this?

You’ve been stretching on some of your posts recently and imply posters are saying the sky is falling if we don’t acquire certain guys. Nobody is saying that.

We can’t discuss potential acquisitions?