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

[expatriatedtexan]

I think the Avs ideally need two D men.

Dumoulin wouldn't be the guy that pushes Manson down. He'd be the guy to play with Manson in more of a traditional vet shutdown pair, or with Malinski (if Manson is moved and Malinski kept) on the third pair, after a #3-4RD is brought in.

it would be disappointing, but if they don't want to spend the assets on a top 4 RD, then he could also just play with Malinski, while Manson stays with G.

Just seemed like a good target under lots of different situations. The kind to trade for earlier than the deadline too.

I like Brian, but he's not the target I'd spend early on to aquire. I like him, but if there is a chance in hell that we can get Jones we have to explore that route fully first.

The ability to push Manson down to the third pair to play with Malinski is what I think is key for our D this year. We can deal with trying to move Manson this summer if it comes to that but I would absolutely prefer we keep him for this run.

 

[PAZ]

The other point about Jones that hasn't been discussed, and hasn't been talked about nearly as much because the Avs have been very average since the cup run... is that this built is still built from the backend for Bednar's system to succeed.

Jones has all the skills needed to excel in Bednar's system. He can skate, decent puck retrieval, and can make a quick and smart outlet pass. The difference in puck-moving ability when we had Makar, Toews, G, and Byram ripping the puck up the ice to what we have now is night and day.

Jones goes a long ways to fixing that issue as we'll have another defenseman out there for 20+ minutes a night.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

The other point about Jones that hasn't been discussed, and hasn't been talked about nearly as much because the Avs have been very average since the cup run... is that this built is still built from the backend for Bednar's system to succeed.

Jones has all the skills needed to excel in Bednar's system. He can skate, decent puck retrieval, and can make a quick and smart outlet pass. The difference in puck-moving ability when we had Makar, Toews, G, and Byram ripping the puck up the ice to what we have now is night and day.

Jones goes a long ways to fixing that issue as we'll have another defenseman out there for 20+ minutes a night.

We just need to get our thoughts drumming through CMac's head non-stop until he makes it happen.

This is one of those moves that makes so much sense it would be stupid not to try. I know Chicago is going to have other offers.. but this is where being a good GM comes into play. CMac needs to acknowledge there are other suitors and just get it done. We're going to be f***ed in the next year or so at RD anyways with Manson getting so banged up and aging. His contract is up next season as well.

Part of being a good GM is succession planning. As much as I like a lot of what MacFarland has done, when I think about the importance of a 2C position and the absolute botched job the Avs have done since Kadri... well, Chris' leash should get shorter.

I've just come to believe that CMac and Bednar have completely different views about how lines 2-4 should go. I think CMac wants his dominate top line. I think he want's a decent second line and then a third line that can shut folks down and 4th line that can make the opposition happy it's only our 4th line.

Line Gospel according to ET...
1 - Run up the score.
2 - Solid 2-way play. Provide timely scoring and not get scored on routinely.
3 - Shut the f***ers down.
4 - You've got 45 seconds... go hurt somebody.

 

[Foppa2118]

I like Brian, but he's not the target I'd spend early on to aquire. I like him, but if there is a chance in hell that we can get Jones we have to explore that route fully first.

The ability to push Manson down to the third pair to play with Malinski is what I think is key for our D this year. We can deal with trying to move Manson this summer if it comes to that but I would absolutely prefer we keep him for this run.

Yeah 3rd pair D is definitely behind 3RD and 2C in importance.

I think the problem with a Manson-Malsinki pairing though is I'm not sure either of them would play on their off side well. Don't think we've seen them play their off side, and there's usually a reason for that.

I'm also still not sure the Avs feel comfortable going with Malinski in the playoffs and a guy like Dumoulin would be cheap. Probably a 2nd at most for retention. That's why there's no need to wait.

Malinski's played well lately though so maybe they start to get more comfortable with it. He needs a guy like Dumoulin helping him in the D zone and the front of the net though.

Seems like all scenarios involve a need for a 3rd pair D, mostly likely LD. Keep Malinski on the third pair? Trade for a 3RD like Jones or Andersson and push Manson down? Trade Manson for a 3RD?

No offense to CDH, Kylington, or Middleton, but if the Avs go into the playoffs with any of them on their starting third pair, they're not being serious about trying to win.

 

[davalanche96]

Bennett could be a good Target 1vs1 for Mitt.
Schenn could be an option for the 2C
Zacha is the best Target but if they try to trade for him they need to do a package like :

Zacha
Frederic
VS
Mitt
Wood

AVS need to work on trade for Jones like:

Jones (50%)
Donato
VS
Malinski
Colton
1st. 2027

Marino, Dumoulin, Soucy could be a good option for the third defense pairing.

Colombus could be a good partner if they can trade for:

Jenner and Provorov

 

[ABasin]

Yeah 3rd pair D is definitely behind 3RD and 2C in importance.

I think the problem with a Manson-Malsinki pairing though is I'm not sure either of them would play on their off side well. Don't think we've seen them play their off side, and there's usually a reason for that.

I'm also still not sure the Avs feel comfortable going with Malinski in the playoffs and a guy like Dumoulin would be cheap. Probably a 2nd at most for retention. That's why there's no need to wait.

Malinski's played well lately though so maybe they start to get more comfortable with it. He needs a guy like Dumoulin helping him in the D zone and the front of the net though.

Seems like all scenarios involve a need for a 3rd pair D, mostly likely LD. Keep Malinski on the third pair? Trade for a 3RD like Jones or Andersson and push Manson down? Trade Manson for a 3RD?

No offense to CDH, Kylington, or Middleton, but if the Avs go into the playoffs with any of them on their starting third pair, they're not being serious about trying to win.

I’m not as down on Malinski at 3RD as some people are. I think he’s decidedly average on the 3rd pairing, but he does OK. He’s inconsistent and lays a turd sometimes, but that’s why he’s a 3rd pairing guy.

IMO 3LD is the bigger problem. It’s too bad that deHaan couldn’t squeeze one more season out, but he’s just not cutting it. Love Middleton’s story, but he’s simply not good enough for playoff hockey. If they do anything on D, I think it’s here. Don’t care for the idea of Dmen playing their off side - for the first time all season - during the playoffs when there is a more intense game/cycle/forecheck going on.

All of this predicated on Manson being healthy and playing 2RD, of course.

 

[Miri]

Eventually one of these will be the "actual" domino

Into McJesus, Crosby, Jones and Werenski going to Avs

 

[The Merchant]

Some of-interest Rono cards, for funsies

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Utah has a bunch of pieces I wouldn't mind.

C Barrett Hayton - LHS - 6'1" 201 lbs. - 24 y/o - $2.65m AAV x 2 years - 59GP-15G-17A-32P
W Lawson Crouse - LHS - 6'4" 216 lbs. - 27 y/o - $4.3m AAV x 3 years - 58GP-9G-4A-13P
C/W Nick Bjugstad - RHS - 6'5" 208 lbs. - 32 y/o - $2.1m AAV x 1 year - 51GP-5G-10A-15P
C/W Kevin Stenlund - RHS - 6'3" 215 lbs. - 28 y/o - $2m AAV x 2 years - 59GP-7G-6A-13P
D Sean Durzi - RHS - 6'1" 198 lbs. - 25 y/o - $6m AAV x 4 years - 7GP-0G-3A-3P
D John Marino - RHS - 6'1" 202 lbs. - 27 y/o - $4.4m AAV x 3 years - 17GP-0G-6A-6P
D Olli Maata - LHS - 6'2" 209 lbs. - 30 y/o - $3m AAV x 1 year - 49GP-2G-11A-13P

This beyond obvious guys they wouldn't want to move, and I'm not even sure if the guys above would all be available.

Potential for a one-stop shopping spree here.

Hayton is the obvious prize, but all 3 of Crouse/Bjugstad/Stenlund are quality 3rd line forwards who bring size, speed, jam. On D, Durzi would cost a fair bit but would fit our style really well. Excellent at puck retrieval, breakout and stretch passes, kickstarting offense from the back. Marino is super underrated. Maata would fit in nice at 3LD and has no salary commitment beyond this year.

 

[Vaslof]

Utah has a bunch of pieces I wouldn't mind.

C Barrett Hayton - LHS - 6'1" 201 lbs. - 24 y/o - $2.65m AAV x 2 years - 59GP-15G-17A-32P
W Lawson Crouse - LHS - 6'4" 216 lbs. - 27 y/o - $4.3m AAV x 3 years - 58GP-9G-4A-13P
C/W Nick Bjugstad - RHS - 6'5" 208 lbs. - 32 y/o - $2.1m AAV x 1 year - 51GP-5G-10A-15P
C/W Kevin Stenlund - RHS - 6'3" 215 lbs. - 28 y/o - $2m AAV x 2 years - 59GP-7G-6A-13P
D Sean Durzi - RHS - 6'1" 198 lbs. - 25 y/o - $6m AAV x 4 years - 7GP-0G-3A-3P
D John Marino - RHS - 6'1" 202 lbs. - 27 y/o - $4.4m AAV x 3 years - 17GP-0G-6A-6P
D Olli Maata - LHS - 6'2" 209 lbs. - 30 y/o - $3m AAV x 1 year - 49GP-2G-11A-13P

This beyond obvious guys they wouldn't want to move, and I'm not even sure if the guys above would all be available.

Potential for a one-stop shopping spree here.

Hayton is the obvious prize, but all 3 of Crouse/Bjugstad/Stenlund are quality 3rd line forwards who bring size, speed, jam. On D, Durzi would cost a fair bit but would fit our style really well. Excellent at puck retrieval, breakout and stretch passes, kickstarting offense from the back. Marino is super underrated. Maata would fit in nice at 3LD and has no salary commitment beyond this year.

Crouse 58 games 13 points with 4.3M AAV.. Replace Colton with new Colton!

 

[BoxOfChocolates]

I'd buy low on Crouse in a heartbeat

 

[Miri]

Crouse 58 games 13 points with 4.3M AAV.. Replace Colton with new Colton!

Yup, not sure what this infatuation with meh players on other teams is. I guess classic case of grass always greener on the other side.

I mean, i get it, Mittelstadt, Colton, Wood...all play like shit, dont provide the secondary scoring we need. But replacing them with guys that dont do that on their teams either, wont probably fix the issue, right? Or do they just hope they will randomly blossom into snipers and playmakers on Avs?

 

[John Mandalorian]

I could see them having imterest in Crouse as a hedge due to the tenuousness of Nichushkin's career.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Crouse 58 games 13 points with 4.3M AAV.. Replace Colton with new Colton!

Certainly you’re not suggesting they have the same type of impact on the game.

Crouse is coming off three straight 20+ goal seasons and is a much more impactful player than Colton. Crouse punishes defensemen and is a problem for teams around the net.

He’s having a down year and would be the perfect buy-low type of player.

 

[Balthazar]

The issue with Crouse is we need centers.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

The issue with Crouse is we need centers.

So get Bjugstad and Crouse.

THE MEAT!

 

[hockeyfish]

Glad Mitts had a nice game. Doesn’t really change anything in my mind though. Need a replacement.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Is Jones even that good that everyone wants him so badly? I mean, he would be an upgrade on Manson and Girard I guess, but is he really that good? I see him as being similar to Nurse, or am I off base here? The cup year Manson was a beast. I wish he could get back being that good. Maybe if he’s 100% he would, but he’s been playing injured all year

The issue here is that you keep looking at Jones as a #1. We are all looking at him as a #3 behind Cale. Huge difference. He would fit our system very well AND would be a big insurance in case Cale gets hurt. He also pushes Manson down to 3RD. He is also a lot more healthy than Manson. For those reasons alone Jones at 7M is a no-brainer. And one last point.....Dallas wouldn't get him. Overpay if you have to.

 

[Vaslof]

Certainly you’re not suggesting they have the same type of impact on the game.

Crouse is coming off three straight 20+ goal seasons and is a much more impactful player than Colton. Crouse punishes defensemen and is a problem for teams around the net.

He’s having a down year and would be the perfect buy-low type of player.

He's a buy-high player when there's a 4M+ cap hit attached. It'd have to be max retained to make any sense. Then he could be a Wood replacement.

 

[The Merchant]

 

[hockeyfish]

Utah has a bunch of pieces I wouldn't mind.

C Barrett Hayton - LHS - 6'1" 201 lbs. - 24 y/o - $2.65m AAV x 2 years - 59GP-15G-17A-32P
W Lawson Crouse - LHS - 6'4" 216 lbs. - 27 y/o - $4.3m AAV x 3 years - 58GP-9G-4A-13P
C/W Nick Bjugstad - RHS - 6'5" 208 lbs. - 32 y/o - $2.1m AAV x 1 year - 51GP-5G-10A-15P
C/W Kevin Stenlund - RHS - 6'3" 215 lbs. - 28 y/o - $2m AAV x 2 years - 59GP-7G-6A-13P
D Sean Durzi - RHS - 6'1" 198 lbs. - 25 y/o - $6m AAV x 4 years - 7GP-0G-3A-3P
D John Marino - RHS - 6'1" 202 lbs. - 27 y/o - $4.4m AAV x 3 years - 17GP-0G-6A-6P
D Olli Maata - LHS - 6'2" 209 lbs. - 30 y/o - $3m AAV x 1 year - 49GP-2G-11A-13P

This beyond obvious guys they wouldn't want to move, and I'm not even sure if the guys above would all be available.

Potential for a one-stop shopping spree here.

Hayton is the obvious prize, but all 3 of Crouse/Bjugstad/Stenlund are quality 3rd line forwards who bring size, speed, jam. On D, Durzi would cost a fair bit but would fit our style really well. Excellent at puck retrieval, breakout and stretch passes, kickstarting offense from the back. Marino is super underrated. Maata would fit in nice at 3LD and has no salary commitment beyond this year.

Utah looks to be a possible buyer right now, 4 points out of the last wildcard and trying to show the new market a competitive team. Would probably have to be a hockey type trade. But if I squint, I can see the basis for a Mitts for Hayton swap.

 

[Balthazar]

Too many teams in the race this year, it's a seller market and it aint good for us.

 

[The Merchant]

Lots in here, but one quote in particular caught my attention in regards to Zegras:

"You need to put him on a team with a star player who will outwork him. That's the only way you fix him," one NHL executive said.

I haven't entertained the idea of him being the 2C solution, but if that's true then there wouldn't be a better player in the league to "fix" him than Nathan MacKinnon.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]