Speculation: 2025 Off-season Thread

[CobraAcesS]

Yeah, I’m not disagreeing that it will help, but will it help in high pressure situations like we saw vs Dallas in the 1st round, or will it only help in the regular season. I’m just saying that i don’t think replacing Bennett is the difference for beating Dallas in the playoffs. That just seems more of a obligatory move

Not having to think as much definitely helps in high pressure situations. Training so I don’t have to think much is probably why I survived war.

Evaluation, quick recognition of the situation, and a number of set actions in your head already, then action. Repeat

They don't, or can't ever cut through a PK using clear chess moves that are hard to predict. It's sheer will, threading needles with passes, then Mack and Makar's ability to beat two or three guys getting the puck on net.

I can't be the only one that recognizes seeing a set play that has more than a one or two moves is like seeing a unicorn on the ice with this team.

5v5 the offense is the same, speed and determination to get to the middle of the ice. They score when they can cause havoc with their speed.

Landeskog will help with this, for as much as he's a power forward, the dude is very intelligent on the ice. I think its a big reason he was so impactful immediately.

 

[the_fan]

I was pounding the table for Bennett and Pratt to be fired after the SEA series to send a message that the team means business, cares about winning and set a standard of accountability. That was 2 years ago...

So only 2 years later since SEA series they fire Bennett, Pratt will be fired in 2027. then we can finally win another cup

 

[Metallo]

He put some blame for the PP on Bennett, and said maybe they needed a new voice, but he also said they've had one of the best power plays in the league, and ultimately it's up to the players to execute.

He seemed to imply "confidence" was a big part of it. Which makes sense to me, because I've said I don't think Nate looked confident at all, and his demeanor impacts the rest of the team. Also that the PP has always been hot and cold during seasons.

Sakic On Bennett and the Power Play:

"You look back at the series, and five on five I thought we played great hockey. Prepared, and the guys were dialed in, and we were playing Avalanche hockey. I think the difference in the series, when you look back and reflect is their power play, they executed, they did everything they needed to do, to be dangerous, and score at key moments of the game, and our power play didn't do that. For whatever reason...it ended up being confidence I think. Try and make adjustments, but we didn't have it at the right time. So that at the end of the day, that was the difference."

"Our effort was there. Preparation was there. I'll say it again, five on five I thought we played incredible hockey. We just didn't get it done in those big moments. And like I mentioned, their power play was the difference for them, and ours wasn't quite as sharp as it normally is."

“Definitely when you look at how we lost, we just feel that maybe a different voice should help. Listen, he's done a great job (Bennett), he's worked extremely hard, he's a great person. You know our power play's been top 10 over the last few years, but we feel the way things ended, maybe a different voice going into next year should help that. But ultimately, execution comes from the players. We have some of the top players in the world on our team. They’re the ones out there that need to execute. It just ran dry and the wrong time. It's tough to make a change, you don't like to do that, but we feel moving forward, we're hoping that a change of voice might help our power play going into next year.”

Sakic talks about a new voice... the elephant in the room is that the Avs need a mental reset and fresh ideas that a new HC could provide but we get one lousy AC change.

 

[Foppa2118]

Sakic talks about a new voice... the elephant in the room is that the Avs need a mental reset and fresh ideas that a new HC could provide but we get one lousy AC change.

Hard to know whether that's the case, or someone new would help, but it's definitely a fair point.

Messages and messengers can get stale. Nobody coaches forever, and they rarely leave by their own choice. Even some of the best and even when the losses weren't their fault.

Either way, they do need some kind of mental reset, and guys like Nate need a reason to believe in themselves next year, instead of doubting themselves. Hopefully the summer brings that.

 

[The Merchant]

I don’t think we will win the cup with Nelson and Necas. That’s just a huge drop off from Kadri and Mikko. Need to replace those two with more playoff style players

Damn maybe we should've just kept the guys we won a Cup with

 

[the_fan]

So who will be good candidates for the assistant coach running the PP? Are they gonna keep it in house or bring someone from outside? Can’t even think of anyone right now

 

[GeoRox89]

Hard to know whether that's the case, or someone new would help, but it's definitely a fair point.

Messages and messengers can get stale. Nobody coaches forever, and they rarely leave by their own choice. Even some of the best and even when the losses weren't their fault.

Either way, they do need some kind of mental reset, and guys like Nate need a reason to believe in themselves next year, instead of doubting themselves. Hopefully the summer brings that.

He couldn’t get to the WHC fast enough. Hopefully helping Crosby join Forsberg, Fetisov and Larionov as the only double members of the Triple Gold Club (Crosby would be the first to do it twice with NHLers at the Olympics though) will be just what Mack needs

 

[the_fan]

Damn maybe we should've just kept the guys we won a Cup with

Not everyone. Definitely Kadri and Mikko

 

[Foppa2118]

Maybe we should switch gears and look toward the future instead of the past.

Who do we think they bring in to replace Bennett?

Hard to see the Wings letting Tanguay leave to be an assistant. He'd be a good option though.

I've been assuming for a while they've been waiting to promote Hinote. He might feel passed over if they don't hire him, since he has 8 years combined assistant coaching experience in the NHL.

Power Play was only good one year in Nashville though, assuming he ran it. Not that he was ever a PP guy as a player. Then again, those teams didn't have the talent Colorado has.

Columbus

2010-11 - 29th
2011-12 - 24th
2012-13 - 28th
2013-14 - 11th

Nashville

2020-21 - 23rd
2021-22 - 6th
2022-23 - 27th
2023-24 - 16th

 

[the_fan]

Maybe we should switch gears and look toward the future instead of the past.

Who do we think they bring in to replace Bennett?

Hard to see the Wings letting Tanguay leave to be an assistant. He'd be a good option though.

I've been assuming for a while they've been waiting to promote Hinote. He might feel passed over if they don't hire him, since he has 8 years combined assistant coaching experience in the NHL.

Power Play was only good one year in Nashville though, assuming he ran it. Not that he was ever a PP guy as a player. Then again, those teams didn't have the talent Colorado has.

Columbus

2010-11 - 29th
2011-12 - 24th
2012-13 - 28th
2013-14 - 11th

Nashville

2020-21 - 23rd
2021-22 - 6th
2022-23 - 27th
2023-24 - 16th

Looking towards the future…

 

[Foppa2118]

Looking towards the future…
View attachment 1031160

Haha damnit!

 

[Mighty Makar]

What are the chances Nelson is re-signed?

 

[expatriatedtexan]

What are the chances Nelson is re-signed?

Actually... the question is who wants who the more?

1. Do the Avs really want to sign Nelson?
2. Would Nelson really want to spend a full year here?

 

[Foppa2118]

Actually... the question is who wants who the more?

1. Do the Avs really want to sign Nelson?
2. Would Nelson really want to spend a full year here?

I think the question might be who wants it less?

 

[Freaky Styley]

Puckpedia tells me we have 8.7M ( omen?)

We have these guys unsigned:

Nelson
Drouin
Vesey
Kivi

Lindgren
Malinski (RFA)
EJ

If we can move Wood, I'd use his space to re-up Drouin. If he wants more $, goodbye. Let's assume that's possible. Trading Colton for a league min (Ivan) gives us roughly 3.1M more. That's 11.8M. Lindgren, Vesey, Kivi, EJ, gone.

Nelson gets 7M. Malinski 2M. that's 9M. That leaves 4 spots for league min players, with 2.8M left. Not enough. Nelson is going to have to take a pay cut (even 6.5 leaves enough for 4 players at 800k)

Re-signing him to a long deal at a cheap rate is probably our best option at this point. Take him to retirement. Or find a way to trade for Naz.

Barring that, take a swing on a reclamation project (Dach?) which is another high risk move.

EDIT: After looking at it more, I'd rather let Drouin walk for a league min guy. We have Bardakov, Ivan, Prishchepov, Polin, Dufour, and Stienburg to battle for spots, plus any other league min free agents to replace Kivi/Vesey/Drouin. I'd rather give Nelson the 7M to stay and the extra 1M spent on a better defender.

Landeskog - MacKinnon - NIchuskin
Lehkonen - Nelson - Necas
Ivan - Coyle - LOC
Kelly - Drury - Bardakov
Prish/FA

Toews - Makar
Girard - Manson
1.5M - Malinski (2M)
Behrens

Not so bad really. Could probably move Behrens + for an upgrade if he stays healthy.

 

[the_fan]

Puckpedia tells me we have 8.7M ( omen?)

We have these guys unsigned:

Nelson
Drouin
Vesey
Kivi

Lindgren
Malinski (RFA)
EJ

If we can move Wood, I'd use his space to re-up Drouin. If he wants more $, goodbye. Let's assume that's possible. Trading Colton for a league min (Ivan) gives us roughly 3.1M more. That's 11.8M. Lindgren, Vesey, Kivi, EJ, gone.

Nelson gets 7M. Malinski 2M. that's 9M. That leaves 4 spots for league min players, with 2.8M left. Not enough. Nelson is going to have to take a pay cut (even 6.5 leaves enough for 4 players at 800k)

Re-signing him to a long deal at a cheap rate is probably our best option at this point. Take him to retirement. Or find a way to trade for Naz.

Barring that, take a swing on a reclamation project (Dach?) which is another high risk move.

If we pay Nelson 7 mill, I’m done with this team for real. That would just be the dumbest thing ever. If that does happen, I pray to god some reporter asks CMac, why didn’t you just re-sign Kadri to a 7 mill contract if you were gonna give it to 34 year old Nelson

 

[Foppa2118]

The other thing about signing Nelson is it's pretty unlikely he comes on a 1-2 year deal.

So re-signing him to like $6-7M for 3+ years could be the Avs last hurrah at 2C.

Maybe he plays better next year, but that doesn't feel like a smart bet to me. Considering how he played this year, and that he turns 34 in October.

 

[the_fan]

The other thing about signing Nelson is it's pretty unlikely he comes on a 1-2 year deal.

So re-signing him to like $6-7M for 3+ years could be the Avs last hurrah at 2C.

Maybe he plays better next year, but that doesn't feel like a smart bet to me. Considering how he played this year, and that he turns 34 in October.

Signing Nelson to a 3 or 4 year 7 mill contract will pretty much end the chance of this core winning another cup

 

[lionsDen]

yeah the avs are tone deaf, Bednar not being sacked is pretty awful

 

[Freaky Styley]

If we don't sign Nelson, what's the plan at 2C for the next 2 years?

You can't just say 'signing Nelson will end our window' without providing alternative options. It's most likely the best option, even if it's not ideal. We can't live in the Kadri past and neither can CMac. I'm sure he would admit it was his biggest mistake - so why make it again and be at square one?

Nelson didn't play amazing but he was solid enough. Sure a goal would have helped but he played a strong two-way game and the entire team lacked intensity. I don't think he was a main factor in us losing. Getting more comfortable here and utilized as a shooter on the PP and he will only improve IMO.

It doesn't look great beyond the next 2 years but I think that's the main opportunity with Nate at his age, even with the rising cap.

 

[the_fan]

If we don't sign Nelson, what's the plan at 2C for the next 2 years?

You can't just say 'signing Nelson will end our window' without providing alternative options. It's most likely the best option, even if it's not ideal. We can't live in the Kadri past and neither can CMac. I'm sure he would admit it was his biggest mistake - so why make it again and be at square one?

Nelson didn't play amazing but he was solid enough. Sure a goal would have helped but he played a strong two-way game and the entire team lacked intensity. I don't think he was a main factor in us losing. Getting more comfortable here and utilized as a shooter on the PP and he will only improve IMO.

It doesn't look great beyond the next 2 years but I think that's the main opportunity with Nate at his age, even with the rising cap.

Go with Coyle at 2C. He had the same amount of points as Nelson in the regular season with the Avs.

I’d do Necas+Girard for EP but that’s not gonna happen so

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Go with Coyle at 2C. He had the same amount of points as Nelson in the regular season with the Avs.

I’d do Necas+Girard for EP but that’s not gonna happen so

Charlie should be option C.

A. A real 2C (mythical beasts I know)
B. Brock Nelson, I guess
C. Coyle to 2C.

 

[Freaky Styley]

Go with Coyle at 2C. He had the same amount of points as Nelson in the regular season with the Avs.

I’d do Necas+Girard for EP but that’s not gonna happen so

Ok, so Drury is 3C and Kelly 4C? And that's a better team? Or who are we adding at the deadline/with that cap space?

 

[Freaky Styley]

I'd probably move Colton for Gritsyuk 1 for 1. And I think Jersey might do that too. Could help both squads.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I'd probably move Colton for Gritsyuk 1 for 1. And I think Jersey might do that too. Could help both squads.

I'd move Colton, Wood and the entire Avs social media team for Dawson Mercer.