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

[dahrougem2]

Makes me wonder if this is why they won't bring him back. They seem to be like that, even if I argue against it.

Who? Kadri or EJ?

 

[CobraAcesS]

Who? Kadri or EJ?

EJ for flip flopping on waiving. If he did something like agreeing to waive, then they don't buy him out, and then he goes back on it. I could see the relationship being somewhat broken.

 

[Pokecheque]

EJ for flip flopping on waiving. If he did something like agreeing to waive, then they don't buy him out, and then he goes back on it. I could see the relationship being somewhat broken.

I very much doubt it's broken.

If the Avs had forced his hand at the time (which I think should have happened, at least as a last resort) then yes, that might have made things really acrimonious, but not the way things panned out.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I very much doubt it's broken.

If the Avs had forced his hand at the time (which I think should have happened, at least as a last resort) then yes, that might have made things really acrimonious, but not the way things panned out.

Using the waivers? They just don't operate that way. It's not in the play book.

The buyout period is June 15 to 30th, or 48 hours after the playoffs whichever is later. If he said yes, and then pulled it back. I definitely can see them not having any motivation to bring him back like they did with JJ.

 

[Pokecheque]

Using the waivers? They just don't operate that way. It's not in the play book.

The buyout period is June 15 to 30th, or 48 hours after the playoffs whichever is later. If he said yes, and then pulled it back. I definitely can see them not having any motivation to bring him back like they did with JJ.

I don't think the decision to not bring EJ back had anything to do with that. I think it was just the mere fact that EJ's just not really all that good anymore and it was time for both parties to move on. And it ain't like bringing back JJ yielded much either.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Yeah, frankly I would have too. Then again, there was a time when I thought Nathan MacKinnon was going to be a major, major disappointment.

Us fans don't know shit.

Yeah agree.
That's why I said in my earlier post that most of the critics regarding 2C for the past 3 years are 20/20 hindsight. EJ waves his NMC and most people would have not liked Kadri's contract at the time of the signing but overall would have been happy that he was re-signed.

GM don't have the luxury of hindsight like we do here.

 

[Chibby]

Thinking over the 2C issue, the Avs’ big gamble wasn’t trading away Rants for Necas. It was deciding to retain Nuke and let Kadri go. But that decision makes sense, especially when taken in context. One was that we were still stuck with a flat cap and no major foreseeable rise. The other speaks to the value which management viewed each player. Keep in mind that you’ve both players, the majority of whose tenure under their next contract would put them on the wrong side of 30. Unfortunate to say but injuries should be expected with those players. It’s understandable that more than a few forum members would like to dump Nuke given his role in screwing up the Avs PO runs. And yeah, addiction is a horrible disease. That monkey is always on your back. But Nuke brings a unique contribution as a player. The guy is a bull with two way play. He makes the team win. Obviously CMAC values that. Nevertheless, the cost is an inability to fill the 2C position with someone that can consistently contribute and make the second line an offensive threat. I wasn’t a Kadri fan earlier in his tenure either with TML and the Avs BUT he had really matured by the SC run. His undisciplined play earlier in his career with the TML and Avs really made me think Sakic was crazy to keep Kadri. It worked though. So the Avs didn’t sign Kadri and went with Nuke. Nevertheless, the question is, if you could go back in time would you keep Kadri at $7M over Nuke and let him walk? The Avs replaced their top line W in Rants in a player with elite ability in Necas. Surprisingly easily although I’d argue the circumstances of Necas’ availability were really unique and not something you’d often see. Could Nuke be easily replaced? If so, what other player would bring the same level of contribution that Nuke does?

Keeping Nuke made sense. Keeping Josh Manson though was prob the wrong choice. The real problem was not replacing Kadri as soon as possible. Kadri’s AAV was also not gonna work.

 

[missionAvs]

Yeah, frankly I would have too. Then again, there was a time when I thought Nathan MacKinnon was going to be a major, major disappointment.

Us fans don't know shit.

You might not know shit but I know a lot of shit.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I don't think the decision to not bring EJ back had anything to do with that. I think it was just the mere fact that EJ's just not really all that good anymore and it was time for both parties to move on. And it ain't like bringing back JJ yielded much either.

Last year his salary was too big. This year it's not.

Yeah agree.
That's why I said in my earlier post that most of the critics regarding 2C for the past 3 years are 20/20 hindsight. EJ waves his NMC and most people would have not liked Kadri's contract at the time of the signing but overall would have been happy that he was re-signed.

GM don't have the luxury of hindsight like we do here.

I'm really finding it difficult to blame anyone but Mitts for that move either. Age, production, previous play etc all made sense.

Actually for Buffalo it made the least sense considering who they already had on the left side.

 

[Pokecheque]

Last year his salary was too big. This year it's not.

Doesn't matter, he was absolutely horrid for the Sabres/Flyers last year and I don't think he's doing much better for them this year. Even as gawdawful as the third pairing for the Avs has been this year I don't think he'd be much of an upgrade.

I will say the Sabres misused him last year and well, pretty much everyone who dons that uniform is destined to suck these days and flourish elsewhere.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Doesn't matter, he was absolutely horrid for the Sabres/Flyers last year and I don't think he's doing much better for them this year. Even as gawdawful as the third pairing for the Avs has been this year I don't think he'd be much of an upgrade.

I will say the Sabres misused him last year and well, pretty much everyone who dons that uniform is destined to suck these days and flourish elsewhere.

He's not an every day player now, and averages bottom pairing minutes. Which is fine, but his leadership and experience as a right shot when needed would be valuable.

Bednar already leans to not playing Malinski against heavier teams.

I'd definitely take EJ over CDH, God that dude makes me want to throw up in my mouth 9/10 times he touches the puck.

 

[Pokecheque]

He's not an every day player now, and averages bottom pairing minutes. Which is fine, but his leadership and experience as a right shot when needed would be valuable.

Bednar already leans to not playing Malinski against heavier teams.

I'd definitely take EJ over CDH, God that dude makes me want to throw up in my mouth 9/10 times he touches the puck.

I really don't think you'd take EJ's present form over CDH, and believe me, I hate that guy on the ice every bit as much as you do.

 

[Mooserton]

AAAAANNNNNDDDDD there’s the justification for nuking St Louis.

As if we need justification

 

[Hasbro]

As if we need justification

Looks good on the paperwork.

 

[Bender]

Was just listening to a hockey show at lunch on sportsnet - some schmuck texted in and suggested a trade of :

To PIT:
Mittelstadt,C
Nichushkin, RW
Ritchie, C
1st Round Pick, 2026
1st Round Pick, 2027

To COL:
Crosby, C
Rackell, RW



And the hosts of the show seemed to think that was just fine. (morons)

Yeah, the Avs are not giving up the most assets since the Lindros trade for 37 year old Crosby no matter how good he is. That is just ridiculous.

26 year old Joe Thornton didn't get that much when traded to San Jose
25 year old Jack Eichel didn't get that much when traded to vegas golden turds

Gimme a break - can people use their heads and think at some point??

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Was just listening to a hockey show at lunch on sportsnet - some schmuck texted in and suggested a trade of :

To PIT:
Mittelstadt,C
Nichushkin, RW
Ritchie, C
1st Round Pick, 2026
1st Round Pick, 2027

To COL:
Crosby, C
Rackell, RW



And the hosts of the show seemed to think that was just fine. (morons)

Yeah, the Avs are not giving up the most assets since the Lindros trade for 37 year old Crosby no matter how good he is. That is just ridiculous.

26 year old Joe Thornton didn't get that much when traded to San Jose
25 year old Jack Eichel didn't get that much when traded to vegas golden turds

Gimme a break - can people use their heads and think at some point??

No.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Was just listening to a hockey show at lunch on sportsnet - some schmuck texted in and suggested a trade of :

To PIT:
Mittelstadt,C
Nichushkin, RW
Ritchie, C
1st Round Pick, 2026
1st Round Pick, 2027

To COL:
Crosby, C
Rackell, RW



And the hosts of the show seemed to think that was just fine. (morons)

Yeah, the Avs are not giving up the most assets since the Lindros trade for 37 year old Crosby no matter how good he is. That is just ridiculous.

26 year old Joe Thornton didn't get that much when traded to San Jose
25 year old Jack Eichel didn't get that much when traded to vegas golden turds

Gimme a break - can people use their heads and think at some point??

I mean, if Crosby guarantees he can play at a high level until he's 87, sure.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Was just listening to a hockey show at lunch on sportsnet - some schmuck texted in and suggested a trade of :

To PIT:
Mittelstadt,C
Nichushkin, RW
Ritchie, C
1st Round Pick, 2026
1st Round Pick, 2027

To COL:
Crosby, C
Rackell, RW



And the hosts of the show seemed to think that was just fine. (morons)

Yeah, the Avs are not giving up the most assets since the Lindros trade for 37 year old Crosby no matter how good he is. That is just ridiculous.

26 year old Joe Thornton didn't get that much when traded to San Jose
25 year old Jack Eichel didn't get that much when traded to vegas golden turds

Gimme a break - can people use their heads and think at some point??

I'd do it without Nuke involved, but I'm sure a few people here value Ritchie and those 1sts higher.

No thanks on Rackell too.

 

[Bender]

I'd do it without Nuke involved, but I'm sure a few people here value Ritchie and those 1sts higher.

No thanks on Rackell too.

That's not the value and it never has been for anyone EXCEPT for maybe eric lindros.

But at that point, you're talking about "the next one" and a supposed 'phenom' that's being traded at age 19.

Cal Ritchie is a 1st round draft pick that most hockey people would suggest - has worked out so far / or progressed well in relation to where he was selected. His value is at least that of - a 1st round pick.

Add TWO MORE first round picks - late as they may be, that's still value there.

And then add Mittelstadt.

That's 3 first round picks + Mittelstadt.

The Avs would never do that.

 

[LOFIN]

I'd do it without Nuke involved, but I'm sure a few people here value Ritchie and those 1sts higher.

No thanks on Rackell too.

That's an absurd price even without Ritchie.

First of all, if Crosby was to be traded, it would be because he specifically wanted to. And he probably only has one or two teams he would consider. Now I'm sure he also wants to help Pittsburgh to get some value back, but that doesn't really put Dubas in a strong negotiation position.

Mittelstadt + a late first for 30% retained or something would probably be pretty close.

 

[hockeyfish]

Granted, it was 24 years ago, but a Crosby trade would probably look something like the Bourque trade. That was solid roster player, two prospects, and a 1st for Bourque and Andreychuk. I don't think Martin Grenier was regarded as a top prospect and I can't image Pahlsson was either.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Mittelstadt
Gulyayev
Nabokov
1st

 

[CobraAcesS]

That's an absurd price even without Ritchie.

First of all, if Crosby was to be traded, it would be because he specifically wanted to. And he probably only has one or two teams he would consider. Now I'm sure he also wants to help Pittsburgh to get some value back, but that doesn't really put Dubas in a strong negotiation position.

Mittelstadt + a late first for 30% retained or something would probably be pretty close.

In a trade like that you don't follow standard competitive practices I think, so who knows, but..

The fan boost (money), three years of retaining 4.35M AAV, and 15M has already been paid out as a signing bonus for his next contract too.

Yeah, it would cost legitimate assets just to make it financially make sense for an organization that isn't really rolling in cash.

It would be a pretty big financial windfall for Colorado to both go deep in the playoffs, and only be paying Crosby 380k for 25-26 and 545k the final year. This year is obviously mostly paid out as well.

 

[Bender]

That's an absurd price even without Ritchie.

First of all, if Crosby was to be traded, it would be because he specifically wanted to. And he probably only has one or two teams he would consider. Now I'm sure he also wants to help Pittsburgh to get some value back, but that doesn't really put Dubas in a strong negotiation position.

Mittelstadt + a late first for 30% retained or something would probably be pretty close.

I think a lot of it would be based on optics. So for me, something like :

Mittelstadt, C
Ivan, C
2026 1st round pick
2027 2nd round pick

For

Crosby, C
2026 3rd round pick
2027 4th round pick

Looks like a bigger package than it is but essentially the Avs are just trading down in 2026 & 2027.

Obviously, if the Avs are going to be asking for retention - it would cost more but I think that's much more reasonable.

 

[Balthazar]

Crosby likely feels loyalty towards Malkin and Letang who re-upped there because of him. It would probably be a mutual decision between those 3 players and the GM if he were to ever agree to move.