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

[Foppa2118]

It's very clear to me what the Avs need to target. A goal scoring 2C is important, but they really need a good top 4 defenseman. If they want to contend this year, they NEED both.

That top 4 D is a stabilizer for the rest of the lineup and improves the 3rd pair by bumping Manson down.

Their system, and forwards, are good enough defensively to win lower scoring games if need be, with good goaltending, and a top heavy/injury prone forward group, but they need a good defense. They don't have that anymore. They used to, but they under appreciated it's importance.

These are their best assets to move and their needs. The situation is very clear IMO. They can move out all of this if they want, but they need to turn it into the best version of their needs they can find.

Assets To Move

• Mittelsdadt
• Ritchie
• Gulyayev
• Malinski
• Behrens
• 2026 1st
• 2025 2nd (Rags)
• 2025 2nd (Canes)
• Foudy
• Ivan
• Innala
• Olausson

Needs

• Goal Scoring, good skating 2C, that can put up ~60 points or more.
• #3-4 RD that can skate ok, is good defensively, and can chip in some goals and points. Preferably with some size.
• #6 vet LD to play with Manson that can skate ok and is at least ok defensively.

IMO they should prioritize the better defenseman over the better 2C if need be. This is the area that will have a bigger impact on winning in the playoffs.

They can get by with a Mitts level player that's a better goal scorer at 2C, and a better stylistic fit on the Avs, and then hope they get Val and/or Landy back for scoring depth.

 

[AvsCOL]

My dream target would be Bo Horvat, but I don’t think there’s any way the Isles move him…

Edit: acquire the whole 2013 draft

 

[CobraAcesS]

It's very clear to me what the Avs need to target. A goal scoring 2C is important, but they really need a good top 4 defenseman. If they want to contend this year, they NEED both.

That top 4 D is a stabilizer for the rest of the lineup and improves the 3rd pair by bumping Manson down.

Their system, and forwards, are good enough defensively to win lower scoring games if need be, with good goaltending, and a top heavy/injury prone forward group, but they need a good defense. They don't have that anymore. They used to, but they under appreciated it's importance.

These are their best assets to move and their needs. The situation is very clear IMO. They can move out all of this if they want, but they need to turn it into the best version of their needs they can find.

Assets To Move

• Mittelsdadt
• Ritchie
• Gulyayev
• Malinski
• Behrens
• 2026 1st
• 2025 2nd (Rags)
• 2025 2nd (Canes)
• Foudy
• Ivan
• Innala
• Olausson

Needs

• Goal Scoring, good skating 2C, that can put up ~60 points or more.
• #3-4 RD that can skate ok, is good defensively, and can chip in some goals and points. Preferably with some size.
• #6 vet LD to play with Manson that can skate ok and is at least ok defensively.

IMO they should prioritize the better defenseman over the better 2C if need be. This is the area that will have a bigger impact on winning in the playoffs.

They can get by with a Mitts level player that's a better goal scorer at 2C, and a better stylistic fit on the Avs, and then hope they get Val and/or Landy back for scoring depth.

While I agree with you, that 2C might not be there. The only guy I can think of is Zacha, and we don't know if he's actually available.

That's something I'm coming to terms with but as you say the defense needs help now and in the future if there is a snowballs chance in hell.

 

[The Merchant]

 

[Bender]

It's very clear to me what the Avs need to target. A goal scoring 2C is important, but they really need a good top 4 defenseman. If they want to contend this year, they NEED both.

That top 4 D is a stabilizer for the rest of the lineup and improves the 3rd pair by bumping Manson down.

Their system, and forwards, are good enough defensively to win lower scoring games if need be, with good goaltending, and a top heavy/injury prone forward group, but they need a good defense. They don't have that anymore. They used to, but they under appreciated it's importance.

These are their best assets to move and their needs. The situation is very clear IMO. They can move out all of this if they want, but they need to turn it into the best version of their needs they can find.

Assets To Move

• Mittelsdadt
• Ritchie
• Gulyayev
• Malinski
• Behrens
• 2026 1st
• 2025 2nd (Rags)
• 2025 2nd (Canes)
• Foudy
• Ivan
• Innala
• Olausson

Needs

• Goal Scoring, good skating 2C, that can put up ~60 points or more.
• #3-4 RD that can skate ok, is good defensively, and can chip in some goals and points. Preferably with some size.
• #6 vet LD to play with Manson that can skate ok and is at least ok defensively.

IMO they should prioritize the better defenseman over the better 2C if need be. This is the area that will have a bigger impact on winning in the playoffs.

They can get by with a Mitts level player that's a better goal scorer at 2C, and a better stylistic fit on the Avs, and then hope they get Val and/or Landy back for scoring depth.

Mentioned it awhile back but Kadri + Andersson for Mitts + Malinski + 1st + 2nd.

Kadri already knows the system, so he doesn't need to get use to it and I think that maybe aside from Seth Jones, Rasmus Andersson is probably the next best thing.

Drouin-MacKinnon-Necas
Lehkonen-Kadri-Nichushkin
Colton-Drury-O'Connor
Wood-Kelly-Parsinnen

Toews-Makar
Girard-Andersson
TDL - Manson

Looks pretty good on paper (or a screen)

 

[LTCPain75]

Insider: NHL would block Avalanche to re-acquire former star in trade

Elliotte Friedman shared key details about another trade involving the Carolina Hurricanes star forward Mikko Rantanen in the latest 32 Thoughts episode.

www.yardbarker.com

 

[CobraAcesS]

It's pretty good article. Nothing earth shattering, but it also has counter points to Mitts not quite being dead yet.

And another writer sees the potential in Boston for swapping Zacha & Mitts.

~

Boston Bruins
The next tier of trade targets comes in below the contender’s circle. The fact Mittelstadt isn’t a rental could drive interest for teams on the fringes of the playoff picture.

The Bruins finally seem realistic about their trajectory, which could kick off a retool on the fly around their franchise cornerstones. One of their biggest focuses has to be improving their center depth.

While the Bruins should be looking to replenish their prospect pool, the team also needs to find younger NHL-caliber players ready to help as soon as possible. At 26 years old, Mittelstadt is the type of reclamation project the Bruins should be targeting.

In return, Pavel Zacha’s two-way game could interest Colorado. He brings an element of versatility as someone who can be trusted in all situations. Brandon Carlo could also be the reinforcement the Avalanche need to solidify their blue line.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Vancouver always has a team that could be good, but they sign bad contracts that tie up too much cap.

You can get away with one, maybe two bad contracts every once in a while, but it seems like they always have too many guys making a little or a lot too much.

70-80 pt EP making $11.6M
50 pt DeBrusk making $5.5M
50 pt Garland making nearly $5M
Tyler Myers last contract paying him $6M
OEL making $8.25M that they're still paying $2.1-4.7M in dead cap depending on the year.

If they re-sign Boesser that has the potential to be bad too.

4 million on Colton and 5.5 million on Mittelstadt is what well managed teams would do.

Garland would be the fourth best forward playing for the Avs. DeBrusk too.

 

[Avs_19]

Insider: NHL would block Avalanche to re-acquire former star in trade

Elliotte Friedman shared key details about another trade involving the Carolina Hurricanes star forward Mikko Rantanen in the latest 32 Thoughts episode.

www.yardbarker.com

Hmmm. I was curious about that. Not necessarily related to Mikko because I highly doubt the Avs would be interested but just in general. So it's against the rules and would be blocked even if the Avs aren't the ones retaining his salary?

 

[The Merchant]

It's pretty good article. Nothing earth shattering, but it also has counter points to Mitts not quite being dead yet.

And another writer sees the potential in Boston for swapping Zacha & Mitts.

~

Boston Bruins
The next tier of trade targets comes in below the contender’s circle. The fact Mittelstadt isn’t a rental could drive interest for teams on the fringes of the playoff picture.

The Bruins finally seem realistic about their trajectory, which could kick off a retool on the fly around their franchise cornerstones. One of their biggest focuses has to be improving their center depth.

While the Bruins should be looking to replenish their prospect pool, the team also needs to find younger NHL-caliber players ready to help as soon as possible. At 26 years old, Mittelstadt is the type of reclamation project the Bruins should be targeting.

In return, Pavel Zacha’s two-way game could interest Colorado. He brings an element of versatility as someone who can be trusted in all situations. Brandon Carlo could also be the reinforcement the Avalanche need to solidify their blue line.

Last two seasons, fwiw

 

[BobRossColton]

Drouin Nate Nuke
Lehky Zacha Necas
Colton Drury LOC
Prishchepov Kelly Kivi
Landy, ivan², parsnip, innala

-Wood

 

[BobRossColton]

Zacha would have to change his #, not 37 either. Drury needs to break the curse of #18.

 

[Gumballhead]

It's pretty good article. Nothing earth shattering, but it also has counter points to Mitts not quite being dead yet.

And another writer sees the potential in Boston for swapping Zacha & Mitts.

~

Boston Bruins
The next tier of trade targets comes in below the contender’s circle. The fact Mittelstadt isn’t a rental could drive interest for teams on the fringes of the playoff picture.

The Bruins finally seem realistic about their trajectory, which could kick off a retool on the fly around their franchise cornerstones. One of their biggest focuses has to be improving their center depth.

While the Bruins should be looking to replenish their prospect pool, the team also needs to find younger NHL-caliber players ready to help as soon as possible. At 26 years old, Mittelstadt is the type of reclamation project the Bruins should be targeting.

In return, Pavel Zacha’s two-way game could interest Colorado. He brings an element of versatility as someone who can be trusted in all situations. Brandon Carlo could also be the reinforcement the Avalanche need to solidify their blue line.

And it's major media so of course in the comments someone said something like "too much deep dive detail for a mid-tier player" -- never change, Internet.

Obviously they don't realize this is the closest we've gotten to an Avs article this year on there.

 

[Gumballhead]

I just saw a thing on MHH with the idea of trading for Zadorov. His contract doesn't actually look that bad to me now, other than the length, but come on really?

 

[Muffin]

Would Anaheim do a Zegras swap for Mittelstadt?

 

[Gumballhead]

Would Anaheim do a Zegras swap for Mittelstadt?

I don't want that dirty overskilled Matt Cooke.

 

[sethro109]

Would Anaheim do a Zegras swap for Mittelstadt?

Probably, but that's not someone we should be targeting with Mitts as the chip going out. Wouldn't mind him as a reclamation project, but he cannot be our 2C.

 

[hockeyfish]

View attachment 982597

Last two seasons, fwiw

I've been a fan of a Mitts for Zacha move for a while, although I totally get why many hate the idea.

 

[dahrougem2]

It's very clear to me what the Avs need to target. A goal scoring 2C is important, but they really need a good top 4 defenseman. If they want to contend this year, they NEED both.

That top 4 D is a stabilizer for the rest of the lineup and improves the 3rd pair by bumping Manson down.

Their system, and forwards, are good enough defensively to win lower scoring games if need be, with good goaltending, and a top heavy/injury prone forward group, but they need a good defense. They don't have that anymore. They used to, but they under appreciated it's importance.

These are their best assets to move and their needs. The situation is very clear IMO. They can move out all of this if they want, but they need to turn it into the best version of their needs they can find.

Assets To Move

• Mittelsdadt
• Ritchie
• Gulyayev
• Malinski
• Behrens
• 2026 1st
• 2025 2nd (Rags)
• 2025 2nd (Canes)
• Foudy
• Ivan
• Innala
• Olausson

Needs

• Goal Scoring, good skating 2C, that can put up ~60 points or more.
• #3-4 RD that can skate ok, is good defensively, and can chip in some goals and points. Preferably with some size.
• #6 vet LD to play with Manson that can skate ok and is at least ok defensively.

IMO they should prioritize the better defenseman over the better 2C if need be. This is the area that will have a bigger impact on winning in the playoffs.

They can get by with a Mitts level player that's a better goal scorer at 2C, and a better stylistic fit on the Avs, and then hope they get Val and/or Landy back for scoring depth.

I don't know how you make the cap work to find that defenseman to bump Manson down. Also, if that guy comes with term then you absolutely have to move Manson during the Summer. Can't be paying 4.5M to a 3rd pair defenseman who is now struggling to remain healthy like he was in Anaheim.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I don't know how you make the cap work to find that defenseman to bump Manson down. Also, if that guy comes with term then you absolutely have to move Manson during the Summer. Can't be paying 4.5M to a 3rd pair defenseman who is now struggling to remain healthy like he was in Anaheim.

I've seen our resident capologists make it work both ways keeping or trading Manson.

We do have a lot of flexibility going from Mikko to Necas now.

Mitts is money out, money in, and we have like 5-6M in LTIR room, potentially pushing that up to 7M with the right roster moves.

RIAL laid out how they could actually activate Landeskog right now if they wanted. That space should be used.

 

[dahrougem2]

I've seen our resident capologists make it work both ways keeping or trading Manson.

We do have a lot of flexibility going from Mikko to Necas now.

Mitts is money out, money in, and we have like 5-6M in LTIR room, potentially pushing that up to 7M with the right roster moves.

RIAL laid out how they could actually activate Landeskog right now if they wanted. That space should be used.

It's not about finding a way to make it work, it's about not wanting to pay 4.5M for a 3rd pair RHD who is now 33 years old and clearly not able to stay healthy anymore. The Avs need that money in the lineup and effective, not constantly out of the lineup regardless of Manson's effectiveness come playoff time.

 

[CobraAcesS]

It's not about finding a way to make it work, it's about not wanting to pay 4.5M for a 3rd pair RHD who is now 33 years old and clearly not able to stay healthy anymore. The Avs need that money in the lineup and effective, not constantly out of the lineup regardless of Manson's effectiveness come playoff time.

Well if he's required to play less minutes and is good in the playoffs there could be value in keeping him.

It really depends on what's out there in the offseason, and what teams would pay for him.

You're just going to spend more assets to get insurance the following year.

You are probably right, but there isn't zero need for him in that role. It just depends.

 

[Balthazar]

That's quite the quote:

Combine that lackluster offense with disastrous defense and it’s easy to see why the Avalanche would want to move on.

This article is saying that he sucks offensively and defensively but teams might still be interested because they all need centers.

That's very bad news for us because we need centers, too!