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

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

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

Just buy some glue sticks instead.

 

[Bender]

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 several years, I had assumed the NHL game was too fast for him. The games this year kinda of 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 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.

They kind of tried that last year and I really thought when C-Mac traded for Trenin and Duhaime that we'd finally have some guys in the bottom-6 that are just a pain in the ass to play against. I still feel those were really good moves.

Sadly, Bednar doesn't want that kind of bottom 6 and didn't use them that way - he played them like they had Matt Nieto's skillset...probably because he was afraid they'd get out of position trying to play too physical or take too many penalties.

I absolutely disagree with this and I think that your bottom-6 can really help you win a playoff series by grinding down the opposition but you have to want to play that way for it to be successful.

Bednar will just point to 2022 and say that it doesn't need to be that way but if that's the case, you better have the depth to skate your opposition to the ground.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

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.

I know Cogs and Helm are two of the more respected vets and bottom sixers we've had. LOC took time, but earned his way into that group and is now probably our mosted trusted bottom six player.

I know every point matters, but we've got a young dude in Prischepov who seems to have all the tools you could want for a bottom sixer, but the Avs have chosen to run with the likes of Wagner, Ivan, Innala instead and even made trades for Smith, Felhaber and now Parssinen.

At what point do you drive it into your prospects head that the coach doesn't want them? What more does a guy like Nikita have to do to stay in the league over an Innala?

 

[Tommy Shelby]

They kind of tried that last year and I really thought when C-Mac traded for Trenin and Duhaime that we'd finally have some guys in the bottom-6 that are just a pain in the ass to play against. I still feel those were really good moves.

Sadly, Bednar doesn't want that kind of bottom 6 and didn't use them that way - he played them like they had Matt Nieto's skillset...probably because he was afraid they'd get out of position trying to play too physical or take too many penalties.

I absolutely disagree with this and I think that your bottom-6 can really help you win a playoff series by grinding down the opposition but you have to want to play that way for it to be successful.

Bednar will just point to 2022 and say that it doesn't need to be that way but if that's the case, you better have the depth to skate your opposition to the ground.

I very much enjoyed it when Helm just went "F*** it" and ignored Bedsy and just started hitting anything that moved during the Cup run

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I know Cogs and Helm are two of the more respected vets and bottom sixers we've had. LOC took time, but earned his way into that group and is now probably our mosted trusted bottom six player.

I know every point matters, but we've got a young dude in Prischepov who seems to have all the tools you could want for a bottom sixer, but the Avs have chosen to run with the likes of Wagner, Ivan, Innala instead and even made trades for Smith, Felhaber and now Parssinen.

At what point do you drive it into your prospects head that the coach doesn't want them? What more does a guy like Nikita have to do to stay in the league over an Innala?

Prishchepov is a pro rookie, he's got some room for development and is starting to produce at the AHL level. It makes sense for him to get some of that developmental time, and it's not him getting passed over. The other guys are older and have less upside. Innala has been just fine.

 

[Perratrooper]

Outside of a 17 game run with Carolina, he’s had very minimal time with high-end Finnish players. The team could feasibly pair him with Kiviranta and Parssinen on a line and provide him with true support from a language perspective. With more talented players like Rantanen and Lehkonen higher up providing more detailed help and guidance to under stand the system. He also would have a good role model stylistically to model his game around in Nichuskin.

I get there is a very slim chance he pans out or even gets picked up by the Avs, but I still wouldn’t hate seeing it happen.

 

[Vaslof]

For 800k might as well try. Depth is nice to have.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Outside of a 17 game run with Carolina, he’s had very minimal time with high-end Finnish players. The team could feasibly pair him with Kiviranta and Parssinen on a line and provide him with true support from a language perspective. With more talented players like Rantanen and Lehkonen higher up providing more detailed help and guidance to under stand the system. He also would have a good role model stylistically to model his game around in Nichuskin.

I get there is a very slim chance he pans out or even gets picked up by the Avs, but I still wouldn’t hate seeing it happen.

I just think it would be hilarious if we just ran 6 Finnish forwards at all times.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Prishchepov is a pro rookie, he's got some room for development and is starting to produce at the AHL level. It makes sense for him to get some of that developmental time, and it's not him getting passed over. The other guys are older and have less upside. Innala has been just fine.

I don't know man.

I'm trying to imagine myself as a young player who has played better than the dudes the Avs have decided to keep up. Not only have my bosses demoted me to keep others, who are questionably worse than me, up instead; but they are also actively trading for players to block me.

At some point, prospects must shift from wanting to be a part of their NHL team (the one that drafted them) to just wanting to play in the NHL. I'd actually be pissed of at CMac if I was Nikita right now. I'm not sure what his agent is telling him, but the Avs have absolutely zero interest in him becoming a top-six forward. They want him to be a bottom-sixer, which I think is right. The question though is if he's, potentially, middle six rather than bottom six.

With the Avs development track-record, I'd much rather have this kid in the NHL being actually trained by Bednar (if he could be ordered to give a shit about rookies and told to actually coach instead of saying skate harder). The problem is Bednar demoted him and instead has played Smith, Felhaber (who I didn't actually mind) and Wagner.

Chris f***ing Wagner was kept instead of Nikita Prischepov. If there isn't a disconnect between CMac and Bednar here then they are both agreeing to try and lose games.

 

[dahrougem2]

I just think it would be hilarious if we just ran 6 Finnish forwards at all times.

Claim Puljujarvi, trade for Armia

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Claim Puljujarvi, trade for Armia

7 Finns is too many. C'mon now, don't be silly.

 

[forsbergavs32]

I really like Prishchepov, but I’m fine with letting him cook another year in Loveland. He’s only 20 and we may have guys in the lineup that won’t be here come October. He’ll get his chance.

 

[dahrougem2]

I don't know man.

I'm trying to imagine myself as a young player who has played better than the dudes the Avs have decided to keep up. Not only have my bosses demoted me to keep others up instead, but they are also actively trading for players to block me.

At some point, prospects shift from wanting to be a part of their NHL team (the one that drafted them) to just wanting to play in the NHL. For most lower level players, it's a not a big deal for the franchise becuase they don't pan out, but for those few that actually can carve out a meaningful career it means everything. Nothing against trading for Cogs and Helm, but it would be nice if we could draft and develop those players ourselves. I'm worried that Bednar's short patience for rookies may sour some of the decent depth ones we have.

Prischepov just got drafted. Even he was shocked to be called up to the NHL this year. Letting him play in the AHL after getting a taste of the NHL may just motivate him to push harder for a spot next year.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

f*** it, I'd do it.


There's hardly much downside. If he doesn't work out you simply send him on his way again in a month or so.


But there's potentially some real upside as well. There's an awful lot of Finns around that he could learn some really good habits from.

 

[PAZ]

I don't know man.

I'm trying to imagine myself as a young player who has played better than the dudes the Avs have decided to keep up. Not only have my bosses demoted me to keep others up instead, but they are also actively trading for players to block me.

At some point, prospects shift from wanting to be a part of their NHL team (the one that drafted them) to just wanting to play in the NHL. For most lower level players, it's a not a big deal for the franchise becuase they don't pan out, but for those few that actually can carve out a meaningful career it means everything. Nothing against trading for Cogs and Helm, but it would be nice if we could draft and develop those players ourselves. I'm worried that Bednar's short patience for rookies may sour some of the decent depth ones we have.

Most depth is just depth.

Players that passed through our system like Sherwood and Greer are decent bottom 6ers now, but it took them quite a few years to put it together. The depth you really want to develop are the ones that bring more value than they're worth. I don't know if we have anyone like that in our system at the moment.

 

[LOFIN]

f*** it, I'd do it.


There's hardly much downside. If he doesn't work out you simply send him on his way again in a month or so.


But there's potentially some real upside as well. There's an awful lot of Finns around that he could learn some really good habits from.

I just struggle to find a place for him. If Wood is out longer, then sure. I guess I'd rather have Puljujärvi than Innala or Ivan Ivan (nothing against those two, they are just better served playing in the AHL big minutes).

 

[PAZ]

f*** it, I'd do it.


There's hardly much downside. If he doesn't work out you simply send him on his way again in a month or so.


But there's potentially some real upside as well. There's an awful lot of Finns around that he could learn some really good habits from.

Ya I agree. It wouldn't hurt to have actual depth in the bottom 6 as well, so when injuries hit in the playoffs we aren't playing Wagner for 4 minutes a game. If he doesn't work out, no big loss.

 

[LOFIN]

Puljujärvi-Pärssinen-Kiviharju

why the f*** not, call it the James Bond line because of PPK

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I don't know man.

I'm trying to imagine myself as a young player who has played better than the dudes the Avs have decided to keep up. Not only have my bosses demoted me to keep others, who are questionably worse than me, up instead; but they are also actively trading for players to block me.

At some point, prospects must shift from wanting to be a part of their NHL team (the one that drafted them) to just wanting to play in the NHL. I'd actually be pissed of at CMac if I was Nikita right now. I'm not sure what his agent is telling him, but the Avs have absolutely zero interest in him becoming a top-six forward. They want him to be a bottom-sixer, which I think is right. The question though is if he's, potentially, middle six rather than bottom six.

With the Avs development track-record, I'd much rather have this kid in the NHL being actually trained by Bednar (if he could be ordered to give a shit about rookies and told to actually coach instead of saying skate harder). The problem is Bednar demoted him and instead has played Smith, Felhaber (who I didn't actually mind) and Wagner.

Chris f***ing Wagner was kept instead of Nikita Prischepov. If there isn't a disconnect between CMac and Bednar here then they are both agreeing to try and lose games.

Prishy scored a hat trick like a week and a half ago for the Eagles.

He’s being played in a scoring role and getting a chance to improve his overall game.

He’s a rookie. He understands this is best for his development and will help him being able to bury a goal or two when the time comes to make the permanent jump up to the Avs.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Puljujärvi-Pärssinen-Kiviharju

why the f*** not, call it the James Bond line because of PPK

Just a bunch of try hards out there.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Prischepov just got drafted. Even he was shocked to be called up to the NHL this year. Letting him play in the AHL after getting a taste of the NHL may just motivate him to push harder for a spot next year.

Him outperforming others who have stayed up could also turn him sour on the org.

I really don't know, I've never played at anything near this level but I have to assume ego plays a large part of motivation. I think the Avs shit on rookies normally and it's for good reason...look at our draft record... but when one surprises, why the f*** do you send them down instead of keeping them up and surrounded by the best coaches and players in the system. This is a guy you are developing into a bottom six NHL role. Do it at the NHL level, not at the AHL level. These are completely different games and roles.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Ya I agree. It wouldn't hurt to have actual depth in the bottom 6 as well, so when injuries hit in the playoffs we aren't playing Wagner for 4 minutes a game. If he doesn't work out, no big loss.

I just struggle to find a place for him. If Wood is out longer, then sure. I guess I'd rather have Puljujärvi than Innala or Ivan Ivan (nothing against those two, they are just better served playing in the AHL big minutes).

Ya I think he could slot in ahead of either of those guys for now... If things actually work out with him(Its like a 1% chance but for the sake of argument), he could be a pretty solid middle 6 winger for us.

 

[dahrougem2]

Him outperforming others who have stayed up could also turn him sour on the org.

I really don't know, I've never played at anything near this level but I have to assume ego plays a large part of motivation. I think the Avs shit on rookies normally and it's for good reason...look at our draft record... but when one surprises, why the f*** do you send them down instead of keeping them up and surrounded by the best coaches and players in the system. This is a guy you are developing into a bottom six NHL role. Do it at the NHL level, not at the AHL level. These are completely different games and roles.

But why "develop" him for 5 minutes a night in a no-offense role when he can play 15-18 a night in the AHL in a scoring role?

He's only 20. It doesn't have to be immediate. He also didn't do enough to warrant staying here. His debut and first couple of games yeah he looked good, but if you want to keep a spot you have to overwhelmingly gain trust of coaches and show you can contribute. He didn't do that.

 

[UncleRisto]

Oh good, we're getting Puljujärvi and Toews.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Prishy scored a hat trick like a week and a half ago for the Eagles.

He’s being played in a scoring role and getting a chance to improve his overall game.

He’s a rookie. He understands this is best for his development and will help him being able to bury a goal or two when the time comes to make the permanent jump up to the Avs.

I understand what you are saying. I even mentioned it might be in his best interest to play more minutes in the AHL to get whatever he can out of his development runway as he's only 20.

Here are a few questions I'd like answered from those still advising more development for Nikita:
1. What line do you see him playing on in the NHL?
2. What prevents him from developing in that role while playing in the NHL?
3. What happens if you try to take an offensive bottom six forward and convince him he's a top six offensive forward only to put him where he belongs (4th line) when he finally makes the NHL?
4. What makes you think Aaron can untap his potential while Jared can't? Why does he have to go to an AHL coach to be developed? Look out how our last AHL coach is doing in the NHL. Is this really the development plan/path that is the best for us to use? I think we could do better and this is a whole other conversation but for the time being, I'd rather have our better prospects actually in the NHL and getting trained on NHL play, rather than in the AHL learning how to dominate AHL play. I just think playing the majority of the season as a bottom sixer with actual NHL coaching and then becoming a wildcard for the playoffs after being bumped out at the deadline would provide much greater experience and development than going to the AHL, learning how to dominate the AHL according to Schneekloth.

I think the Avs should've kept him up longer. He was clearly better than others that were playing. How can you say you are trying to win, when you aren't icing your best possible team? And yes...for the Avs, a team that is CONSTANTLY bitching about lack of depth production, sending Prischepov down over others was weakened the team considerably.

But why "develop" him for 5 minutes a night in a no-offense role when he can play 15-18 a night in the AHL in a scoring role?

He's only 20. It doesn't have to be immediate. He also didn't do enough to warrant staying here. His debut and first couple of games yeah he looked good, but if you want to keep a spot you have to overwhelmingly gain trust of coaches and show you can contribute. He didn't do that.

Because those 20 minutes in the AHL does nothing for this current NHL team where he was better than others that were getting ice time ahead of him.

Also...do you really believe Nikita is an NHL top six forward? If so, then I get it. But if you are like me, and believe he is a bottom six forward, you are wasting time trying to develop him into something he isn't while also robbing yourself of the player he actually is.