Speculation: 2024-25 - Free Agency/Trade Thread

[All Mighty]

Would he sign with us if traded? I know you don't know, but that would be the issue.

Definitely a good question, but I doubt we would ever trade for him unless he comes with an extension. So for argument’s sake, I just assume he comes with a contract.

 

[Ducks DVM]

What would you trade for a signed Rantanen? In a main board thread, I suggested a package around Zegras + Zellweger. Maybe they would prefer hometown Terry to Zegras? Unfortunately I think the only way we get Rantanen is to trade for him.

If the only way to get him is to trade for him, then you’d also have to assume that you won’t be able to sign him.

I’d offer future considerations. All the premiere assets would be off the table.

IF he signs a reasonable extension first, your offer is reasonable.

However, we suck, so he won’t sign a reasonable offer to play here, it will be above market value.

So the question then becomes - how much are you willing to blow up your salary structure to get him?

 

[All Mighty]

If the only way to get him is to trade for him, then you’d also have to assume that you won’t be able to sign him.

I’d offer future considerations. All the premiere assets would be off the table.

IF he signs a reasonable extension first, your offer is reasonable.

However, we suck, so he won’t sign a reasonable offer to play here, it will be above market value.

So the question then becomes - how much are you willing to blow up your salary structure to get him?

I’m definitely skeptical on the idea that he’d sign here when he could just wait a few months to be a UFA. We’d probably have to give him some kind of premium to forfeit that opportunity. I have to think $11M is the absolute floor for him, but it’s probably going to come in between $11.5M-$13M.

 

[70sSanO]

If he signs an extension, why would the Avs move him?

He’s one of the top forwards and is becoming a perennial 100 point player. I’ve read that Colorado has an internal cap, but Rantanen is probably one of those players that a team needs to keep and just pay him.

The only issue would be if he doesn’t want to play in Colorado. He has a modified NTC that he would probably waive for the right team.

As for the Ducks, I’d say our chances are slightly less than zero. But I’d give Zegras, or Terry if necessary, and Zellweger all day long for a 100 point sniper. Pay him his $13m and hope he can pot 75 points at age 36.

John

 

[Kalv]

If he signs an extension, why would the Avs move him?

He’s one of the top forwards and is becoming a perennial 100 point player. I’ve read that Colorado has an internal cap, but Rantanen is probably one of those players that a team needs to keep and just pay him.

The only issue would be if he doesn’t want to play in Colorado. He has a modified NTC that he would probably waive for the right team.

As for the Ducks, I’d say our chances are slightly less than zero. But I’d give Zegras, or Terry if necessary, and Zellweger all day long for a 100 point sniper. Pay him his $13m and hope he can pot 75 points at age 36.

John

Terry's from Denver btw. Maybe that increases his value to the Avs for 0.005%.

But Rantanen is about to be 28 this month, not sure how keen Pat would be to give a 8 year contract that'd probably be 2x of what other players get on this team in near future.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

So for perspective people. Benoit, a guy we let go, has outplayed TL and we want to being TL in which would reduce opportunity's for Luneau and Zell as they both play RS? That's what we're advocating here?

Idk that out played is the right word.

Idk that I like the fit much tho . Even with a fowler trade…. I think I’d rather just let zellweger play.

 

[DavidBL]

Idk that out played is the right word.

Idk that I like the fit much tho . Even with a fowler trade…. I think I’d rather just let zellweger play.

That's fair. Simply though, SB was decided to be more important to their top 7 D than TL.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

That's fair. Simply though, SB was decided to be more important to their top 7 D than TL.

I think it had more to do with fit/identity than anything…. I imagine a team that goes for liljegren will be fine with what they get, he’s potential top 4 who brings some offense.

Might be one of those guys that benefits from change of scenery

 

[DavidBL]

I think it had more to do with fit/identity than anything…. I imagine a team that goes for liljegren will be fine with what they get, he’s potential top 4 who brings some offense.

Might be one of those guys that benefits from change of scenery

I'd imagine they would be if they take on that salary. I don't think
the fit is any better here. He's a lesser Fowler(much lesser IMO). He just plays the right instead which isn’t really relevant when both Luneau and Zell play or can play RS.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

A signed Rantanen we should be all over

 

[70sSanO]

So for perspective people. Benoit, a guy we let go, has outplayed TL and we want to being TL in which would reduce opportunity's for Luneau and Zell as they both play RS? That's what we're advocating here?

I really doubt Benoit has outplayed Liljegren.

Timing is everything here. Liljegren signed June 30. One day before he was eligible as an RFA/arbitration. Also one day before the Maple Leafs signed Chris Taney to 6 year contract.

The wild card is Hakanpaa. Toronto signed him in September. If they feel Jani is able to go, he fits the win now Maple leafs much better for less.

I kind of see the Liljegren 2 year signing as a stop gap in case they needed him, not necessarily as a future piece.

It is a bit like the insurance signing of Strome, except Strome had a better resume coming in, but now he is not moveable.

I’m not saying Liljegren is PV top 4 RH answer, but Benoit is not. But 2 years for a 23 point + Dman is hardly any risk. If he works great, if not move on. It’s not like it jeopardizes any signing due to cap space.

John

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I'd imagine they would be if they take on that salary. I don't think
the fit is any better here. He's a lesser Fowler(much lesser IMO). He just plays the right instead which isn’t really relevant when both Luneau and Zell play or can play RS.

Oh I agree idk that I see a big fit here… until guys like Mintyukov show they can carry a pairing

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Quite a few Avs fans seem on board with acquiring Gibson with retention, given how awful Georgiev has looked for quite some time.

I don't see us eating a huge amount of dead money for another two years beyond this one, regardless of our current cap situation. Getting down to a 5M cap hit on Gibson means eating 1.4M on the books for the next two seasons, which seems reasonable. Then we could take back Georgiev to nearly balance the cap for this year.

Gibson (22% retained = 5M for two more years)

for Georgiev (3.4M UFA at season's end)
+ pick(s)

Then turn around and shop Georgiev with retention to other goaltending starved teams. Despite his struggles, he's won 78 games the last two years, including an excellent 2022-23 season. In the 1.7-2.5M range, I think we'd get another solid asset for him. Still leaves a final retention slot if needed for a Fowler deal etc.

Mostly just unsure how much value we need out of the Avs in order to make this all worth our while. It's time to get Gibby moving when he's back healthy here, we'll be fine with Dostal/Reimer.

 

[anezthes]

Then turn around and shop Georgiev with retention to other goaltending starved teams. Despite his struggles, he's won 78 games the last two years, including an excellent 2022-23 season. In the 1.7-2.5M range, I think we'd get another solid asset for him.

I doubt Georgiev returns anything of value. He's on one of the best teams in the league.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I doubt Georgiev returns anything of value. He's on one of the best teams in the league.

Maybe not, but I feel like there are more goalie starved teams than viable options available. Even if the pick is mostly just to pay for the retention in order to get him cheap enough to take a flier on

 

[MMC]

I doubt Georgiev returns anything of value. He's on one of the best teams in the league.

You're underestimating how thin the market is going to be at the deadline when at least a few teams will be looking to improve their goaltending. There's a reason that moving Gibson might actually be feasible for us, whereas if he were a forward or defenseman playing below his cap hit to this extent, it would be damn near impossible, and certainly not without attaching assets to him.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

You're underestimating how thin the market is going to be at the deadline when at least a few teams will be looking to improve their goaltending.

Whats this gotta do with Georgiev?

 

[tomd]

In the rankings of goalies with little or no current value, Gibson and Georgiev are leading the pack.