Rumor: 2024-2025 Trade Rumors and Free Agency Talk | The Slow Crawl to the Season

[Pokecheque]

I really don't think Vladar moves the needle nearly enough. And something tells me Calgary doesn't want to let him go now that they're on a better-than-expected start.

Much as I'm very, very wary of the guy, they've gotta consider Blackwood.

Merzlikins would be a thought and a prayer but I still think he'd be an upgrade. I seriously doubt the Avs want anything to do with that contract however.

Gibson is the guy with the highest upside AINEC. But I think Anaheim's just sitting back for someone to offer up a too-good-to-be-true deal. They likely don't want to retain salary, don't want to take a headache contract in return, and want assets of real value.

Another guy IMO they should consider is Mrazek. Erratic as all hell and a bit of a headcase, but if they want a guy with serious upside who also isn't signed to a horrible deal, but I'm guessing Chicago doesn't want to part ways with him since they just signed him to an extension.

 

[Balthazar]

With Elvis and Gibson you're rolling the dice, RyJo style.

Remember when RyJo had "good stats" to start the season last year? That's Gibson this year so far.

 

[Bender]

I'm not saying I know how Mack feels about Nuke, but I'll just say the Avs (especially the top guys) don't celebrate empty net goals. In fact they often look depressed after they score 1. So I wouldn't read too much into that part.

Maybe it is just a big coincidence but when was the last time #29 had a stretch of a measly 2 points in 5 games... 2017 ?? AND it just so happens to exactly happen when nuke comes back to the lineup?

 

[S E P H]

Would you do Jiricek + Elvis to Avs for Gulyayev + Georgiev + a pick? Maybe get a 3rd team involved as George isn't gonna waive to go to CBus. Maybe send Georgiev to Carolina and they send a pick to CBus?

That's a lot of "hope" in that trade for the Avs. I love me Elvis, but he hasn't been good in like two years and we would need to hope that he rebounds by finding his game in Colorado. With Jiricek, we also have to hope he becomes where we all thought he was capable of when he was drafted. I am not necessarily against it, but it is definitely risky. Nonetheless, I expect that if/when CBJ trades Jiricek, it will be a Yager/Rutger 2.0 type of trade. I am not sure CBJ would ever take a package deal, especially considering that Gulyayev probably has more value to us than to other teams.

I really don't think Vladar moves the needle nearly enough. And something tells me Calgary doesn't want to let him go now that they're on a better-than-expected start.

Much as I'm very, very wary of the guy, they've gotta consider Blackwood.

Vladar is way better than Blackwood, like night and day, but I do agree that the Flames have no reason to trade him. Vladar definitely moves the needle, we have one goaler who has been rightfully pulled in back-to-back games and another who has found his game a tad and is still letting in 4 goals a game lol.

 

[Bender]

I really don't think Vladar moves the needle nearly enough. And something tells me Calgary doesn't want to let him go now that they're on a better-than-expected start.

Much as I'm very, very wary of the guy, they've gotta consider Blackwood.

Merzlikins would be a thought and a prayer but I still think he'd be an upgrade. I seriously doubt the Avs want anything to do with that contract however.

Gibson is the guy with the highest upside AINEC. But I think Anaheim's just sitting back for someone to offer up a too-good-to-be-true deal. They likely don't want to retain salary, don't want to take a headache contract in return, and want assets of real value.

Another guy IMO they should consider is Mrazek. Erratic as all hell and a bit of a headcase, but if they want a guy with serious upside who also isn't signed to a horrible deal, but I'm guessing Chicago doesn't want to part ways with him since they just signed him to an extension.

Yeah those are your likely targets (in no particular order) :

Merzlikins
Mrazek
Blackwood
Vejmelka
Gibson
(*Swayman)

(*If Boston feels like they have buyers remorse from that contract. hehe)

 

[Pokecheque]

Would you do Jiricek + Elvis to Avs for Gulyayev + Georgiev + a pick? Maybe get a 3rd team involved as George isn't gonna waive to go to CBus. Maybe send Georgiev to Carolina and they send a pick to CBus?

If the Avs could somehow convince Lumbus to retain about a million I think It'd jump at that. Obvious downside is if Merzlikins couldn't rebuild his game after being mentally broken for so long, but IMO this is the level of desperation the Avs are at now.

 

[Jasenr]

Maybe it is just a big coincidence but when was the last time #29 had a stretch of a measly 2 points in 5 games... 2017 ?? AND it just so happens to exactly happen when nuke comes back to the lineup?

Mack has 12,5 million reasons a year to be professional about it and not care.

If its that then man up. I bet my money his hurt because after the knee tackle he hasnt been explosive anymore. Also the away games and being forced to shift first isnt doing any good on the matchups.

 

[shadow1]

My sleeper pick is Cam Talbot.

Detroit signed him for two years, probably to split time with Cossa next year. But there's no way a 37-year-old goalie is untouchable, not when Uncle Fester is flushing their season down the toilet.

 

[Bensch88]

Yeah as all of you have said they freaking need to get a goalie asap. George and Juice suck so bad its not even funny anymore. The Avs are such a good Team but the GM does nothing to help them out. Send both of Georgiev and Annunen to the moon, they are so so so bad.

 

[dahrougem2]

My sleeper pick is Cam Talbot.

Detroit signed him for two years, probably to split time with Cossa next year. But there's no way a 37-year-old goalie is untouchable, not when Uncle Fester is flushing their season down the toilet.

Cam Talbot is god awful

 

[shadow1]

Cam Talbot is god awful

He's a career .914 goalie with a .921 SV% (9th GSAA) on a team that's bad defensively.

God awful is what Colorado has in net.

 

[Hasbro]

I really don't think Vladar moves the needle nearly enough. And something tells me Calgary doesn't want to let him go now that they're on a better-than-expected start.

Much as I'm very, very wary of the guy, they've gotta consider Blackwood.

Merzlikins would be a thought and a prayer but I still think he'd be an upgrade. I seriously doubt the Avs want anything to do with that contract however.

An Elvis comeback? It would have to be in Vegas.

 

[Pokecheque]

An Elvis comeback? It would have to be in Vegas.

Yeah I can't argue that

 

[dahrougem2]

He's a career .914 goalie with a .921 SV% (9th GSAA) on a team that's bad defensively.

God awful is what Colorado has in net.

Cam Talbot wouldn't have been jettisoned by all of Edmonton, Calgary, and LA if he was anything close to a solution.

 

[AslanRH]

Just give me a full game or two of
Drouin - MacK - Rants
Lehky - Mitts - Nuke

and keep CDH off the ice

I hate that there is no obvious answer for the problem in Goal, but that is what it is for now.

 

[Bender]

If the Avs could somehow convince Lumbus to retain about a million I think It'd jump at that. Obvious downside is if Merzlikins couldn't rebuild his game after being mentally broken for so long, but IMO this is the level of desperation the Avs are at now.

I like the goaltender but since he's got term + still potential mental issues, I'd probably pass.

Personally, I think they should go after Blackwood and do it NOW. Send over George + whatever (within reason) that needs to be added to even it out for the sharks long-term. For once, I think the Avs need to be more proactive before someone else beats them to it.

I like Blackwood because he's played fantastically against us specifically over the past few years and historically in junior and in the minors - his save percentage seems to go up when it's playoff time.

While I certainly wouldn't mind Gibson or Merzlikins, I'll be surprised if they trade for a guy with term (even if he comes retained)... I just don't think they want to be on the hook for more years if it doesn't work out.

 

[shadow1]

Cam Talbot wouldn't have been jettisoned by all of Edmonton, Calgary, and LA if he was anything close to a solution.

He played for two of those teams 5+ years ago, for crying out loud.

Talbot has been solid everywhere he's been. Except for Ottawa, but that's becoming a league-wide trend.

Since 2019-2020:

	GP	W	L	OTL	GAA	SV%	SO	GSAA
Blackwood	187	69	79	25	3.13	.903	9	-18.7
Gibson	245	77	129	34	3.35	.900	6	-48.1
Merzlikins	203	74	84	31	3.20	.904	11	-15.0
Talbot	210	112	68	20	2.68	.912	12	35.4

Talbot's been the best of the bunch this year, too, while also playing for a hot dog water team. I get that he doesn't have the mysterious box appeal of the rest. But his contract is small and he's actually familiar with winning hockey games.

 

[John Mandalorian]

He played for two of those teams 5+ years ago, for crying out loud.

Talbot has been solid everywhere he's been. Except for Ottawa, but that's becoming a league-wide trend.

Since 2019-2020:

	GP	W	L	OTL	GAA	SV%	SO	GSAA
Blackwood	187	69	79	25	3.13	.903	9	-18.7
Gibson	245	77	129	34	3.35	.900	6	-48.1
Merzlikins	203	74	84	31	3.20	.904	11	-15.0
Talbot	210	112	68	20	2.68	.912	12	35.4

Talbot's been the best of the bunch this year, too, while also playing for a hot dog water team. I get that he doesn't have the mysterious box appeal of the rest. But his contract is small and he's actually familiar with winning hockey games.

Not Mrazek? His Da save % is in the .920s playing for Chicago. Yes, it’s still a small but it’s also a more relevant range as it’s more recent. Might be too expensive though. But maybe Chicago thinks he’ll turn into a pumpkin?

 

[shadow1]

Not Mrazek? His Da save % is in the .920s playing for Chicago. Yes, it’s still a small but it’s also a more relevant range as it’s more recent. Might be too expensive though. But maybe Chicago thinks he’ll turn into a pumpkin?

He'd definitely be intriguing. I just threw Talbot out there because I didn't see him mentioned at all.

 

[Freaky Styley]

People are saying Talbot is god awful, yet they're clamoring for Merzlikins?

Vladar is night and day better than Blackwood?

Sounds like we're no better than the Avs scouts when assessing goaltending.

Talbot would be a good target, and cheap. IMO the best thing to do would be to get an entirely new tandem of platoon guys. One guy with upside like Blackwood/Vejmelka, one guy with a track record like Talbot, then a better 3rd option that's already in the AHL (i.e. Kahkonen). Let them all battle it out and challenge each other - but it's important we get at least one guy with a track record/ has proven to be calm under pressure and perform in the playoffs.

Better than what we have right now - a 1B guy who is hot and cold, and a sophomore that hasn't established himself as an NHLer

 

[John Mandalorian]

He'd definitely be intriguing. I just threw Talbot out there because I didn't see him mentioned at all.

I’m not necessarily pounding the table for Mrazek. It’s a long season. I kind of agree with @Freakey Styley If you get guys like this, you might as well have two and ideally keep the cost under 5 million . Hedge your bets.

Like he said. Get one guy who doesn’t fluctuate much. Remmber 2022 when Avs fans complained about .900 goalkeeping from one guy? Maybe be with two guys you can nudge that up to .910 to .920...or maybe you find “your guy”.

 

[John Mandalorian]

What happened to the main forum?

 

[Frenchy]

What happened to the main forum?

last i checked it's still there

 

[the_fan]

I hate that there is no obvious answer for the problem in Goal, but that is what it is for now.

If CMac wanted to, he could trade for Gibson right now. Gibson is available, Ducks want to trade him and it shouldn’t be very hard to give the Ducks something that would have them retain salary. I’m just not sure what CMac is waiting for.

He seems to be ok with throwing away points because of bad goaltending for now, or maybe he really believes in Georgiev/Annunen tandem. Who the hell knows

 

[Bender]

If CMac wanted to, he could trade for Gibson right now. Gibson is available, Ducks want to trade him and it shouldn’t be very hard to give the Ducks something that would have them retain salary. I’m just not sure what CMac is waiting for.

He seems to be ok with throwing away points because of bad goaltending for now, or maybe he really believes in Georgiev/Annunen tandem. Who the hell knows

It's probably the retention and the term remaining that he doesn't like... also the small body of work as far as Gibson's season so far.