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

[expatriatedtexan]

Sorry you cant trade Mikko. Figure it the f*** out. You find a way to make room to fit a top 5 winger in hockey. Maybe if you assholes drafted better you wouldnt have to sign a Colton for $4 million.

If Mikko can figure the second line out, I bet you the Avs have no problems finding the money for him.

The issue is finding the money for him when he's apparently stapled to Nate's hip.

 

[Foppa2118]

Yeah, just before free agency opened. I mean he went the whole season, playoffs, etc. and signed a day before free agency started. I was replying to a post stating that if Rantanen hasn’t signed by now(January 12th) then he’s a goner. Landeskog signed much later than that.

Gabe signed a little over 12 hours before UFA to be exact, but also less than an hour before the deadline for an 8 year deal. That's how far they pushed it. The Avs don't blink in a staring contest.

Avs announced it at 9:43pm MST on the 27th, deadline for 8 year deals was 10:00pm MST, and UFA opened at 10:00am MST on the 28th.

 

[hockeyfish]

I will say, if they do decide to trade Rants, it almost certainly won't be for some lame 1st and prospect.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I will say, if they do decide to trade Rants, it almost certainly won't be for some lame 1st and prospect.

I mean basically your then looking at a trade that involves EP/Miller... Maybe Svech if we're being optimistic. Idk I just think figuring out a hockey trade that also gets Mikko signed mid season is pretty unrealistic.

 

[Foppa2118]

I mean basically your then looking at a trade that involves EP/Miller... Maybe Svech if we're being optimistic. Idk I just think figuring out a hockey trade that also gets Mikko signed mid season is pretty unrealistic.

One thing I'm pretty confident in, the Avs won't trade Mikko to Vancouver, just for them to possibly have to go through Vancouver in the playoffs.

Certainly not with Mikko the best player in the deal.

Similar way I feel about Vancouver sending the best player in the deal to the Avs, in an EP/Miller for Mitts+ deal.

I don't think Mikko gets traded, but if he does, I think the most likely teams would be out east. Ottawa (Tkachuk+) Carolina (Necas/Svech+) or maybe the Rangers (Zib+).

Crazy scenario would be they flip some of those plusses with Mitts to the Pens for Crosby too, but it doesn't feel like Crosby leaves either.

 

[Balthazar]

One thing I'm pretty confident in, the Avs won't trade Mikko to Vancouver, just for them to possibly have to go through Vancouver in the playoffs.

Certainly not with Mikko the best player in the deal.

Similar way I feel about Vancouver sending the best player in the deal to the Avs, in an EP/Miller for Mitts+ deal.

I don't think Mikko gets traded, but if he does, I think the most likely teams would be out east. Ottawa (Tkachuk+) Carolina (Necas/Svech+) or maybe the Rangers (Zib+).

Crazy scenario would be they flip some of those plusses with Mitts to the Pens for Crosby too, but it doesn't feel like Crosby leaves either.

If he gets traded Mikko will go somewhere where he wants to play long term and I doubt it's Ottawa.

IMO something around EP makes sense. EP makes about the amount of money that Avs would be comfortable with (11.6M), he's signed long term and he's a center. They aren't going to make the trade based on if they are afraid to meet him in the playoffs, that's not realistic.

If they were to trade Mikko for EP then they could flip Mitts for something useful.

 

[Foppa2118]

If he gets traded Mikko will go somewhere where he wants to play long term and I doubt it's Ottawa.

IMO something around EP makes sense. EP makes about the amount of money that Avs would be comfortable with (11.6M), he's signed long term and he's a center. They aren't going to make the trade based on if they are afraid to meet him in the playoffs, that's not realistic.

If they were to trade Mikko for EP then they could flip Mitts for something useful.

All I envision with that scenario is Mikko playing out of his mind for Vancouver and ending the Avs playoff run. I would bet that's the same thought Sakic and CMac would have, but who knows.

Remember how Mikko played the game after Ismo called him out for having a lazy off season? Imagine how he'd react to being traded away from the Avs and immediately playing them in the playoffs.

 

[Alienblood]

ROR forced his way out as an RFA, and Barrie was used to shore up 2C because we had Makar. Not even remotely similar scenarios.

Rantanen is a core member of this team, has been a top 10 scorer in the league since 17-18, and this management has never traded a core pending UFA in-season.

It's not happening. Unless you want to convince Nathan MacKinnon that trading the third best player on this team gives them the best chance to win. Which, good luck.

I'd take Nuke over Mikko

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I'd take Nuke over Mikko

If Nuke had not had his issues I suspect more people might be inclined to listen to the argument to be made. But with as questionable as his availability has been vs. how seldom Mikko misses a game? I can see why Mikko is worth a heck of a lot more.

That being said, a healthy Nuke cures a lot of the issues we've been facing lately.

 

[The Abusement Park]

One thing I'm pretty confident in, the Avs won't trade Mikko to Vancouver, just for them to possibly have to go through Vancouver in the playoffs.

Certainly not with Mikko the best player in the deal.

Similar way I feel about Vancouver sending the best player in the deal to the Avs, in an EP/Miller for Mitts+ deal.

I don't think Mikko gets traded, but if he does, I think the most likely teams would be out east. Ottawa (Tkachuk+) Carolina (Necas/Svech+) or maybe the Rangers (Zib+).

Crazy scenario would be they flip some of those plusses with Mitts to the Pens for Crosby too, but it doesn't feel like Crosby leaves either.

I don't like any of those deals personally. Svech I probably like the most and EP would have the most upside but I just think finding a hockey trade at this point in the season at this magnitude is asking a lot of CMac.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I’ve always thought a team Mikko would like to play for is Dallas.

He’d fit their style of play well, they have three Finns already in Heiskanen/Hintz/Lindell, it’s not Canada.

I don’t know, I’ve always envisioned him in Dallas if it isn’t Colorado.

 

[Foppa2118]

I’ve always thought a team Mikko would like to play for is Dallas.

He’d fit their style of play well, they have three Finns already in Heiskanen/Hintz/Lindell, it’s not Canada.

I don’t know, I’ve always envisioned him in Dallas if it isn’t Colorado.

Similar problem with Vancouver IMO, having to possibly go through them in the playoffs.

Mikko's a very prideful guy. The Avs trading him would piss him the hell off and he'd spend the rest of the year extremely motivated to prove they made a huge mistake.

I still think it's unlikely, but if he's moved, he needs to go out east.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Similar problem with Vancouver IMO, having to possibly go through them in the playoffs.

Mikko's a very prideful guy. The Avs trading him would piss him the hell off and he'd spend the rest of the year extremely motivated to prove they made a huge mistake.

I still think it's unlikely, but if he's moved, he needs to go out east.

Yeah, I couldn’t see us trading him there.

I could see them making space to take a run at him as a free agent, though.

 

[Foppa2118]

Yeah, I couldn’t see us trading him there.

I could see them making space to take a run at him as a free agent, though.

Yeah, definitely be at the top of the list if he hits UFA. For the reasons you mentioned. Playing style, lots of Finns, still a contender, owner willing to spend, etc.

 

[chet1926]

Yeah one of the biggest reasons I don't see it happening is they'd be risking pissing off MacKinnon mid season, which could impact their playoff chances.

Nate can be a moody guy and when he goes into a mental funk he doesn't play well.

If the goal is the Cup no matter what, I have a hard time seeing them take that risk with Nate. He likes playing with Mikko. Letting him walk as a UFA, he could rationalize as a business decisions, but a trade mid season would be different. That has a chance to make them worse after they've already put in work.

Only way I see it happening is if they trade for Crosby in a separate deal to appease him, but I don't think Crosby wants to leave Pittsburgh. That doesn't sound right so let me amend it. I don't think he wants to leave the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Would they though? I get the feeling 29 and 96 aren't exactly buddy buddy. If trading 96 gives the team a better chance at long term success I don't think 29 would give a shit.

If they dump him for pennies on the dollar then there might be an issue. However, I don't see the Avs trading 96 for garbage.

 

[Foppa2118]

In addition to my selective leaks suspicions lately with the Avs, it also feels like there may be a bit of carrot AND stick going on here with Mikko. Pulling out all the tricks.

'We brought in half your home town in Finland, but also we'll trade you if you think you're worth more than Nathan MacKinnon. Figure out what you want to do and let us know.'

 

[dahrougem2]

@dahrougem2 has better sources


They didn't bring Rants to arbitration as a RFA but it wasn't easy at all if you remember correctly, he missed the whole training camp and they couldn't sign him to max term.

There are more similarities between those 3 than you'd like to believe.

So is that the only similarity? Because you seem to be lumping him in with ROR/Barrie for no reason other than that.

Tell me the last time Lavoie broke stuff with the Avs. He was THE guy when Roy was here. Since? He's certainly kept his distance.

 

[Foppa2118]

Would they though? I get the feeling 29 and 96 aren't exactly buddy buddy. If trading 96 gives the team a better chance at long term success I don't think 29 would give a shit.

If they dump him for pennies on the dollar then there might be an issue. However, I don't see the Avs trading 96 for garbage.

I don't think they're best friend close like he is with Drouin or Crosby, but they seem pretty close.

I think Nate just really likes playing with Mikko. He's always been very complimentary of him, and I think Nate wanting to play with him, is a big reason why Bednar always does.

Nate likes to play with talented players that he respects. Guys he trusts will make a good play if he gives them the puck. The guys he respects most on the team in that regard are Cale and Mikko.

The team has also shown they respect Nate's point of view a lot.

 

[John Mandalorian]

The team is just trying to send a message of “sign or it could be a bumpy ride.” It’s purpose was to plant a seed in Mikkos mind that he could be playing somewhere less than desirable once he’s traded but in the interim, he also gets to be asked constant media questions about pending trades involving him.

Whether they are really serious about trading him is up for debate.

 

[chet1926]

I don't think they're best friend close like he is with Drouin or Crosby, but they seem pretty close.

I think Nate just really likes playing with Mikko. He's always been very complimentary of him, and I think Nate wanting to play with him, is a big reason why Bednar always does.

Nate likes to play with talented players that he respects. Guys he trusts will make a good play if he gives them the puck. The guys he respects most on the team in that regard are Cale and Mikko.

The team has also shown they respect Nate's point of view a lot.

I think there is mutual respect between 29 and 96, but if we are being honest their chemistry hasn't been the same since 92 got hurt.

I don't think 29 would care if 96 got traded as long as the trade made sense and gave the team more runs at the cup.

The team is just trying to send a message of “sign or it could be a bumpy ride.” It’s purpose was to plant a seed in Mikkos mind that he could be playing somewhere less than desirable once he’s traded but in the interim, he also gets to be asked constant media questions about pending trades involving him.

Whether they are really serious about trading him is up for debate.

I honestly believe 96 doesn't give a f*** where he is playing as long as he gets paid. He doesn't strike me as a Stanley Cup is the most important thing player.

 

[Foppa2118]

I think there is mutual respect between 29 and 96, but if we are being honest their chemistry hasn't been the same since 92 got hurt.

I don't think 29 would care if 96 got traded as long as the trade made sense and gave the team more runs at the cup.

I think the possible hurdle there is that Nate is in win now mode and the return for Mikko would most likely be for a lesser player. I'm not seeing a true 1 for 1 or a better player than Mikko being moved.

So maybe it'll be better for the team in the long run, but it might impact their chances this year.

Nate would have to have faith that a package return could make the sum of the parts better, so the team would have a better chance at winning, but he wouldn't know that at the time.

It would have to be proven with a Cup win. Meanwhile Nate would be wondering the whole time if it was worth it.

Nate's a moody guy too and he tends to play worse when he gets in a mental funk. If he starts to think they might have made the team worse, it could affect his own game.

That's what I think the team would want to avoid, not to mention Mikko possibly hurting the Avs playoff run either in the west, or the east in the final if he goes to a team like Carolina.

Only way I see to alleviate a lot of this is if they plan on bringing in Crosby in a separate or the same deal, but that seems unlikely too, because Sid seems to want to stay.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I’ve always thought a team Mikko would like to play for is Dallas.

He’d fit their style of play well, they have three Finns already in Heiskanen/Hintz/Lindell, it’s not Canada.

I don’t know, I’ve always envisioned him in Dallas if it isn’t Colorado.

Zero state income taxes to boot.

 

[Richard88]

Landeskog went to free agency and still returned.

This isn’t always the case. Just pointing that out.

Technically Landeskog didn't go to free agency, but he got within hours of it.

 

[Vaslof]

Trade deadline this year will be March 7th. I think Mittelstadt has 7 weeks left to show some signs of his early season form. I expect some kind of a swap for another (potential) 2C that needs a scenery change.

 

[Richard88]

The specifics are escaping me at the moment so maybe someone else can help me out here? I just remember Renaud being the only one to report multiple things that ended up becoming true.

Not the kind of rumors you just put your finger up in the wind to figure out either. The kind of rumors that only someone with a well placed source would know.

This goes back many years, over a decade I believe. I don't think there's been much recently though.

Again, I think this one is very unlikely, but who knows.

He announced Coleman to Avs but Tampa stepped in at the last minute apparently