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

[John Mandalorian]

Outside of getting everyone healthy, what should be the priority at the deadline to put us over? Rewatched 2022 and man that team was special. We hit a home run on almost every trade.

A left side crease clearing D or someone who is good around the net defensively. I’m assuming they’re hoping Parssinen can fill the role of 3C.

 

[UncleRisto]

Q: Is UncleRisto coming over for Christmas?
A: Yes of course, he always does.
Q: Is he gonna tell us the story about trying to eat more than 6 or 7 steaks in one sitting again?
A: Yes of course, he always does.

And I'll tell you what, lots of similarities to the George Brett story.

 

[Mighty Makar]

 

[LOFIN]

Maybe Tavares can lure him to Toronto with a free amulet?

 

[Mighty Makar]

Maybe Tavares can lure him to Toronto with a free amulet?

I’m guessing the Oilers will sign him.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Here's a comparison of the 2022 and 2025 rosters:

Landeskog - MacKinnon - Rantanen
Lehkonen - Kadri - Nichushkin
Burakovsky - Compher - NAK
Cogliano - Helm - LOC
Newhook

Toews - Makar
Byram - Manson
Girard - EJ
JJ

Kuemper
Francouz

------------------

Drouin - MacKinnon - Rantanen
Lehkonen - Mittelstadt - Nichushkin
Wood - Colton - LOC
Kelly - Parssinen - Kiviranta
Ivan

Toews - Makar
Girard - Manson
DeHaan - Malinski
Kylington

Blackwood
Wedgewood

-------------------

The biggest differences in the top 6/top 4:

Landeskog ---> Drouin
Kadri ---> Mittelstadt
Byram ---> Malinski

All three are notable downgrades.

Burakovsky was a huge luxury on the 3rd line, and scored lots of clutch goals. The 3rd line now doesn't have a game-breaking scorer like that.

The 4th line in 2022 was a lot more experienced.

In 2022 the Avs 3rd pairing was like an extra 2nd pairing, at least before Girard's injury.

The Avs D group in 2022 had a lot more size, with Manson, EJ, and JJ all built for the playoffs. Now the only big guy is Manson.

------

The 2022 roster was historically stacked, statistically speaking, but to match up this roster would need the following:

Another forward to be the "Burakovsky" luxury depth piece. If Landeskog comes back, and in reasonable shape, then that would be a huge boost, and effectively Drouin would then become to the 2025 roster what Burakovsky was to the 2022 roster.

An experienced 4th liner, akin to Helm or Cogliano. Colton is basically this teams Compher, but he doesn't kill penalties, so ideally a RHS 4C who can PK.

Mittelstadt probably wouldn't need to reach Kadri's near 100 PPG rate in 2022 given that he plays better defense, but he'd probably need to be close to PPG at least.

The bottom pairing would need to add a lot more size. The 3LHD especially needs a huge upgrade. Stylistically Malinski is this year's Byram but the drop in size and ability from EJ/JJ to DeHaan/Kylington is big.

The 2022 team overcame some bad goaltending, and it wouldn't be that difficult for Blackwood to beat Kuempers playoff numbers. If he does maybe the Avs could afford to not do all of the aforementioned upgrades.

------

TLDR:

To match the 2022 team I'd say that the Avs need:

- a 2nd line clutch goalscorer (Landeskog if he returns)
- experienced RHS 4C (Evans?)
- a no.4/5 LHD with size (Ferraro?)
- ideally a 7D with more size than DeHaan/Kylington

Problem with that is they don't have the cap space to add all that without shipping out someone(s) with a higher cap hit and creating another hole somewhere.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I have a feeling that in 2019 you'd be saying Devon Toews is not an NHL player simply because he'd been in the AHL up until that point. You know that thing about defensemen not figuring things out until about game 300? Middleton has played 345 pro games at this point. I'm basing my opinion on the 9 games he's played with the Avs this season, and in that time period, he's shown me that he's much better than Calvin de Haan, and that was while playing the right side as a lefty (and paired with CDH as well!). There's obviously nothing flashy about his game, and the offense isn't there, but he can clear the front of the net, intimidate opponents, make a decent first pass, and skate at least as well as CDH. Meanwhile, CDH appears prone to making absolutely terrible defensive reads despite him being a veteran NHLer. He's got a bit more offense to him, but nothing to earn him a roster spot. Kylington meanwhile looked great, but I don't think there's a spot for him with Makar, Toews, Girard, Manson, and Malinksi all able to move the puck well. What the team needs is a physical, reliable player to pair with Malinksi and kill penalties. That's Middleton until they can find someone better.

While I agree that the Avs should explore a trade for a better LD, until that point, they should see if Middleton can keep improving with more time on the roster. It would be nice to know if they can use him to replace some of what Manson brings long-term if there's another injury or they need to trade him.

I really liked Keaton's game this season as well. But nine games is still a really small sample size and capable of being skewed dramatically, either in preference for or against, an individual player.

For the last few years, I had assumed the NHL game was too fast for him. The games this year answered that for me, he can in fact keep up... but left me with one new question. Can he stay out of the box for stupid reasons?

I don't mind all penalties. I just hate the ones that come in the offensive zone 200+ feet from our net. I hate lazy penalties... hooking/slashing because you aren't moving your feet. But if you take one while legitimately separating a guy from the puck with authority, I'll live with it. Same for clearing the crease (with authority)... if you can prevent a goal against... if the team needs someone to just set the gosh darned tone for the night because nobody is feeling it... Yes, I approve of penalties in these situations. But the big thing for me is that if you are going to take a freaking penalty, MAKE IT COUNT!. No weak ass hooks or slashes. If you want to slash or hook...MEAN IT! Get your two minutes + worth out of it.

It feels like the Avs hate playing against the Vegas/Dallas type teams. I'd rather see the Avs play more physical as a natural part of their game plan. I'm not talking about running around looking for hits. But we do need to get back to actually finishing a check from time to time. The Avs are completely avoiding body contact whenever possible and it leads to them running around needlessly way too much. The Avs are doing their normal trying to play a prettier game than the one that is actually occuring.

 

[hockeyfish]

May have to start looking at the top 6 center rental market again.

 

[Avs_19]

Now's our chance.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Pokecheque]

I'd like to see if they could put Puljujarvi and Danault on the same team. Pizza companies would be allllll over that.

 

[LOFIN]

I haven't followed that closely, but I've got the impression that Puljujärvi has actually been fairly decent but still ended up in Sullivan's doghouse. I can see him getting claimed by someone.

 

[hockeyfish]

I haven't followed that closely, but I've got the impression that Puljujärvi has actually been fairly decent but still ended up in Sullivan's doghouse. I can see him getting claimed by someone.

Advanced stats like him. I wouldn't mind a claim, although I don't see any space for him.

 

[LOFIN]

Advanced stats like him. I wouldn't mind a claim, although I don't see any space for him.

Yeah, I would like a claim if we had a spot for him. We really don't. In the least, he could be a more skilled version of Kiviranta. Apparently he has really been a pretty effective bottom-6 player for the Pens, has accepted his role as such. But Sullivan doesn't like him.

 

[Muffin]

Advanced stats like him. I wouldn't mind a claim, although I don't see any space for him.

Always room for more fins.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Puljujarvi is unquestionably one of the dumbest and least coachable players in the NHL. Does his own thing and doesn’t understand tactics or coaching instructions whatsoever.

There’s a reason he has ended up in the doghouse of pretty much every coach he’s ever played for.

He’s an absolute donkey.

No thanks.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Puljujarvi is unquestionably one of the dumbest and least coachable players in the NHL. Does his own thing and doesn’t understand tactics or coaching instructions whatsoever.

There’s a reason he has ended up in the doghouse of pretty much every coach he’s ever played for.

He’s an absolute donkey.

No thanks.

But, All Your Finns Are Belong To Us?

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Puljujarvi is unquestionably one of the dumbest and least coachable players in the NHL. Does his own thing and doesn’t understand tactics or coaching instructions whatsoever.

There’s a reason he has ended up in the doghouse of pretty much every coach he’s ever played for.

He’s an absolute donkey.

No thanks.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I happen to love our donkey bros and think every team should have one.

 

[LOFIN]

Puljujarvi is unquestionably one of the dumbest and least coachable players in the NHL. Does his own thing and doesn’t understand tactics or coaching instructions whatsoever.

There’s a reason he has ended up in the doghouse of pretty much every coach he’s ever played for.

He’s an absolute donkey.

No thanks.

Could be the case. Then again, like I said, almost every Penguins fan thinks Sullivan is a f***ing idiot for playing a guy like Nieto over him so...

I don't particularly want to claim him, we don't have a need or room for him. But I would be surprised if no-one does.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Could be the case. Then again, like I said, almost every Penguins fan thinks Sullivan is a f***ing idiot for playing a guy like Nieto over him so...

I don't particularly want to claim him, we don't have a need or room for him. But I would be surprised if no-one does.

This is an example where fans and coaches have different perspectives.

Is Puljujarvi more talented than Nieto? Absolutely he is.

Is Nieto a more coachable player who will try to fulfill whatever his coach is asking of him? Absolutely he is.

Coaches want to be able to trust players.

Cogliano - Helm - LOC 4th line for the 2022 Cup win is a great example. Bednar could trust those guys to adapt and do whatever he asked of them at all times. Zero concerns they would go into business for themselves or not understand the instructions.

 

[Perratrooper]

Just for the laughs, wouldn’t mind pick up Puljujarvi

 

[LOFIN]

This is an example where fans and coaches have different perspectives.

Is Puljujarvi more talented than Nieto? Absolutely he is.

Is Nieto a more coachable player who will try to fulfill whatever his coach is asking of him? Absolutely he is.

Coaches want to be able to trust players.

Cogliano - Helm - LOC 4th line for the 2022 Cup win is a great example. Bednar could trust those guys to adapt and do whatever he asked of them at all times. Zero concerns they would go into business for themselves or not understand the instructions.

Sure. And sometimes those coaches have a shitty perspective compared to the fans. Based on a lot of metrics, Puljujärvi has been pretty good. A lot better than Nieto. If Nieto is more effective at being ineffective than Puljujärvi because that's the way Sullivan wants his players to play, that's fair.

 

[dahrougem2]

This is an example where fans and coaches have different perspectives.

Is Puljujarvi more talented than Nieto? Absolutely he is.

Is Nieto a more coachable player who will try to fulfill whatever his coach is asking of him? Absolutely he is.

Coaches want to be able to trust players.

Cogliano - Helm - LOC 4th line for the 2022 Cup win is a great example. Bednar could trust those guys to adapt and do whatever he asked of them at all times. Zero concerns they would go into business for themselves or not understand the instructions.

Also a big reason why it took NAK a while to earn Bednar's trust but when he did, he looked great (for the most part).

I root for Puljujarvi because he seems like a guy who loves life, is all about having fun and seems like a good teammate. Always has a smile on his face. But if you can't accept a role or can't fulfill it, you may not last.

I do think he'll end up on some team other than Pittsburgh.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

C'mon Avs, claim the Bison King, allow him to play with the Moose.

 

[Chiarelli]

If you claim pool boy there will be no crayons left for Wood and Colton to eat.