Rumor: 2025 Trade Rumors and Free Agency | The Aftermath

[a mangy Meowth]

Lmao great counter point, hard to disagree with that logic!

I get not wanting to trade a player, but if that trade makes the team better or allows for us to make a bigger move I’m willing to listen.

You're not making a point! You're just yapping

 

[GoNordiquesGo]

I don't have a crystal ball or insider info but it seems pretty obvious to me that CMac executed a two years plan. That's why he was OK paying all of these assets. Unless Nelson craps the bd, he will doing what's needed to re-sign him. With Coyle being under contract one more year, all that's really left to do is see if Lando is back to assess how much room you have to sign Drouin and/or Lindgren. Colton and Wood are likely to go to make room for them and Manson/Lindgren are likely the unknown vs the cap space available.

I highly doubt there will be a Great turnover other than choosing which ones we keep.

The only additions before next trade deadlines will likely be 6-7 Dmen, bottom 6 wingers.

I would bet quite a bit on that. Only if Nelson sucks or choose to walk will there maybe be a bigger addition, IMHO.

I think we are more likely to obtain picks on guys like Colton and Wood than pay assets to get players this summer.

 

[Perratrooper]

You're not making a point! You're just yapping

Buddy your username and pic are literally associated with yapping and you’re fully leaning into it hahah.

I’m trying to discuss the merit of trading a player who is aging and might net a fantastic return prior to falling off.

Your feedback is trying to shift my narrative to say “we have to trade this guy” and then when I provide additional clarification you suggest it provides no insight.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Buddy your username and pic are literally associated with yapping and you’re fully leaning into it hahah.

I’m trying to discuss the merit of trading a player who is aging and might net a fantastic return prior to falling off.

Your feedback is trying to shift my narrative to say “we have to trade this guy” and then when I provide additional clarification you suggest it provides no insight.

My apologies, I'll let the other GMs know you're willing to listen!

 

[Perratrooper]

My apologies, I'll let the other GMs know you're willing to listen!

Imagine coming to a trade thread and not expecting people to discuss trading players. What a life!

Don’t go to the game day thread, they might discuss the game!

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Imagine coming to a trade thread and not expecting people to discuss trading players. What a life!

Don’t go to the game day thread, they might discuss the game!

Not every idea in here has merit lol. Why so worried that I think it's dumb? Carry on fantasizing about it!

 

[Perratrooper]

Not every idea in here has merit lol

Discussing trading our 3rd or 4th best winger doesn’t really seem all that abstract.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Discussing trading our 3rd or 4th best winger doesn’t really seem all that abstract.

I think it's been outlined in exhaustive detail why it makes no sense.

You're suggesting we should say okay if we're offered a stupid overpay for Lehkonen, yeah I'm on board obviously. That seems like a huge dead end of a conversation to me. What more needs to be discussed there?

 

[Pokecheque]

What happens in the next few weeks will likely determine what the team does this summer. I can't really devote that much attention to that until this run is finished, however short or long it ends up being.

 

[Perratrooper]

I think it's been outlined in exhaustive detail why it makes no sense.

You're suggesting we should say okay if we're offered a stupid overpay for Lehkonen, yeah I'm on board obviously. That seems like a huge dead end of a conversation to me. What more needs to be discussed there?

Understanding what different fans believe is an overpay or what they’d want in return for a player I think is important with discussing the team long term.

Some fans have different views of how to proceed with the team near and medium. I personally think some players are really looking to begin a regression and I would prefer to sell them in the hopes it allows for us to extend our window. People get fixated on naming a player like Lehkonen because it’s a contentious player to trade and some people believe the better route is to allow for him to finish out his contract.

I see us at a true crossroads where we can continue to lean into veterans or take the opportunity to re-tool, get younger and potentially extend our window.

 

[Balthazar]

What happens in the next few weeks will likely determine what the team does this summer. I can't really devote that much attention to that until this run is finished, however short or long it ends up being.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

Understanding what different fans believe is an overpay or what they’d want in return for a player I think is important with discussing the team long term.

Some fans have different views of how to proceed with the team near and medium. I personally think some players are really looking to begin a regression and I would prefer to sell them in the hopes it allows for us to extend our window. People get fixated on naming a player like Lehkonen because it’s a contentious player to trade and some people believe the better route is to allow for him to finish out his contract.

I see us at a true crossroads where we can continue to lean into veterans or take the opportunity to re-tool, get younger and potentially extend our window.

This is my final post on this matter: you said yourself on page 4 that you were skeptical that trading Lehkonen could get us the 2C or 2RD we probably need. I agree, in fact we'd be adding significantly. Lehkonen doesn't actually have that much trade value if we're being totally honest. He does to contenders like us, but that's not who we would be trading with. If we can't get one of those directly with him, why are we considering trading him? This is meant to be rhetorical, by the way. Carry on!

 

[flyfysher]

This is my final post on this matter: you said yourself on page 4 that you were skeptical that trading Lehkonen could get us the 2C or 2RD we probably need. I agree, in fact we'd be adding significantly. Lehkonen doesn't actually have that much trade value if we're being totally honest. He does to contenders like us, but that's not who we would be trading with. If we can't get one of those directly with him, why are we considering trading him? This is meant to be rhetorical, by the way. Carry on!

You know, we went through the same sort of reaction with Barrie and Rants. None of it is to diminish what those players achieved. At some point, all good things must end. Lehkonen is an asset. He’s clutch and he is a fantastic fit. I do wonder how other teams might utilize Lehkonen . IOW, is he more valuable to them than the Avs? Can he be replaced or would it be a loss?

Fans become attached to their players. Emotions shouldn’t play into it. They’re all forgetting Barrie netted Kadri which some of them so desperately want.

1. Never forget the NHL is a business.
2. It’s every players job to play to the utmost of their ability to try and win a SC. So arguments that a player helped us win a Cup aren’t persuasive.
3. Each team has one or two untouchables. For us, that’s Mack and Makar.

Look at the team after Rants. CMac has assembled a team that is very deep and any line can score on a given night. That takes a lot of pressure off the first line to carry the team.

And if Landeskog does return then how does the F picture look? Where are you going to put them?

I see Perratrooper’s POV too in addition to Lehkonen’s fans. He likely has more value now. My gut tells me that Lehkonen, like Nuke, should be one of the last of players to be traded. But that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a discussion and analysis. I actually want CMac to know the players on all levels. Fit, skills, talent, drive, PR, etc. all factor into this. Would people consider trading Lehkonen as part of a package to get Tkachuk? You have to consider that possibility if it was on the table. Point is Perratrooper, you’ll get a negative reaction so long as people don’t see the other side of the equation or aren’t familiar with it.

I remember wanting to trade G several years ago and people were ready to send me to the bowels of Hell. That’s what happens when you suggest trading a popular player.

 

[niwotsblessing]

FFS! A Lehkonen trade would be insane. No team in the NHL would offer us the necessary ridiculous overpayment. And don't be telling me about Rants getting traded, we kept the good Finn.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

FFS! A Lehkonen trade would be insane. No team in the NHL would offer us the necessary ridiculous overpayment. And don't be telling me about Rants getting traded, we kept the good Finn.

Yeah exactly. Lehkonen isn't the type of player who is valuable in a trade but way more valuable to your team. you dont trade players like him. You keep them. Perfect team player and clutch as well.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

The best way to extend our Cup window is by trading away the most playoff clutch winger we have?

 

[RoyIsALegend]

The best way to extend our Cup window is by trading away the most playoff clutch winger we have?

No, we’re keeping Miles of Wood!

Heiskanen who???

 

[flyfysher]

FFS! A Lehkonen trade would be insane. No team in the NHL would offer us the necessary ridiculous overpayment. And don't be telling me about Rants getting traded, we kept the good Finn.

That’s BS Niwot. You don’t want your GM to have a handle on his/her players including their worth? Come on! I’d hope that our GM is as informed as possible even if it means their move is unpopular.

We have all seen injuries take their toll on vets like Lehkonen, Nuke and Landy. Seriously, you need to think what players/picks could replace them? Maybe none. But at least you know and can plan and be proactive.

We don’t like letting members of the SC team go. I get it. FTR, I actually hope they re-sign Lehky.

BTW, this is no different than the Rants situation. If you want to assert it is then explain the difference and I’ll consider it. Buy your proclamation that it’s different doesn’t necessarily mean that such is true.

 

[flyfysher]

The best way to extend our Cup window is by trading away the most playoff clutch winger we have?

FTR, I’m not advocating trading away Lehky. But some of you folks are acting like it’s taboo to even mention it.

I know Lehkonen is clutch. So was the first Drury. Still got traded. Now, act like a GM and tell us what Lehky’s weaknesses are? That’s a fair question in evaluating each player. All of us do it here as well. We did it with Rants.

 

[EdAVSfan]

That’s BS Niwot. You don’t want your GM to have a handle on his/her players including their worth? Come on! I’d hope that our GM is as informed as possible even if it means their move is unpopular.

We have all seen injuries take their toll on vets like Lehkonen, Nuke and Landy. Seriously, you need to think what players/picks could replace them? Maybe none. But at least you know and can plan and be proactive.

We don’t like letting members of the SC team go. I get it. FTR, I actually hope they re-sign Lehky.

BTW, this is no different than the Rants situation. If you want to assert it is then explain the difference and I’ll consider it. Buy your proclamation that it’s different doesn’t necessarily mean that such is true.

It is 100% very different than the Rants situation.
Rants was about to be a UFA. The AVS were going into a trade deadline with no certainty of cost and had a chance to lose him for free or be forced to overpay.
Secondly, Rantanen was going to get a contract that he would likely find challenging to live up to. We already saw signs of him slowing down/lacking effort, despite the point totals not changing.
Thirdly, he seemed to also struggle to generate as much offense when he wasn’t paired with MacKinnon.
4th, Lehkonens contract is the type that allows the Avs to have extra depth. Rantanen’s makes it more difficult to have depth.

Lehkonen is vastly underpaid for his value on the ice, unlike how Rantanen was going to be.
Lehkonen is still under contract for 2 more years whereas Rantanen was a UFA.
We have not seen a dip in effort or play at all from Lehkonen vs what we saw from Rantanen.
Lehkonen is also a more flexible player and can be used in all top 9 wing spots. He can play all situations including PK.
Honestly, other than being Finnish wingers, how are their situations at all similar?

 

[flyfysher]

It is 100% very different than the Rants situation.
Rants was about to be a UFA. The AVS were going into a trade deadline with no certainty of cost and had a chance to lose him for free or be forced to overpay.
Secondly, Rantanen was going to get a contract that he would likely find challenging to live up to. We already saw signs of him slowing down/lacking effort, despite the point totals not changing.
Thirdly, he seemed to also struggle to generate as much offense when he wasn’t paired with MacKinnon.
4th, Lehkonens contract is the type that allows the Avs to have extra depth. Rantanen’s makes it more difficult to have depth.

Lehkonen is vastly underpaid for his value on the ice, unlike how Rantanen was going to be.
Lehkonen is still under contract for 2 more years whereas Rantanen was a UFA.
We have not seen a dip in effort or play at all from Lehkonen vs what we saw from Rantanen.
Lehkonen is also a more flexible player and can be used in all top 9 wing spots. He can play all situations including PK.
Honestly, other than being Finnish wingers, how are their situations at all similar?

I agree that the situation was different and that affected valuation. But that’s really the ultimate question. What’s the player’s value to the team? Then it’s business.

You do realize all the points you raised for keeping Lehkonen are also true of Nuke? Right? People are willing to ship Nuke’s butt right out the door but it’s a calculated risk on the organization’s part to keep him. Aside from Nuke’s post-season transgressions both Lehkonen and Nuke were injured. Lehkonen is 29. Still, based on their past and present performance, I would consider the prospect of trading either of them to be very low. They’re both performers.

My only point is you have to be willing to at least consider any potential trades. You can’t be close-minded. IMO, there’s only two players that I consider untouchable, Mack and Makar. In the next tier are players like Lehkonen and Nuke. I’d have also put Rants in that tier. Are they available to trade? Yup. Highly unlikely but if some team is willing to greatly overpay for your players and/or the team’s situation would greatly benefit then you absolutely need to consider it.

So I don’t think a discussion on the subject is verboten. Believe me, I wasn’t happy when some of the posters raised trading away Byram for a 2C. FTR, I’m not sure the Avs would have won the SC without him.

It’s interesting that you put Lehkonen on the same tier as Mack and Makar. Did you consider Rants on the same tier as Mack and Makar? If so, why?

In terms of likely availability I wouldn’t even consider trading Mack and Makar.

Anybody else we can talk turkey. That doesn’t mean I want to trade or that a deal gets done.

Then Nuke, Lehkonen and Toews. I would’ve had Rants on this tier. I’d also put Necas and Nelson here

Below that are players like Drouin, G and Coyle. I’d also put Manson here.

Then it’s players like Wood and Colton. Trade them first.

 

[niwotsblessing]

That’s BS Niwot. You don’t want your GM to have a handle on his/her players including their worth? Come on! I’d hope that our GM is as informed as possible even if it means their move is unpopular.

We have all seen injuries take their toll on vets like Lehkonen, Nuke and Landy. Seriously, you need to think what players/picks could replace them? Maybe none. But at least you know and can plan and be proactive.

We don’t like letting members of the SC team go. I get it. FTR, I actually hope they re-sign Lehky.

BTW, this is no different than the Rants situation. If you want to assert it is then explain the difference and I’ll consider it. Buy your proclamation that it’s different doesn’t necessarily mean that such is true.

Lehkonen, when translated from Finnish, means: Clutch AF.

Rantanen, when translated from Finnish, means: "Move your damn feet you lazy Moose!"

However, @EdAVSfan was more eloquent.

 

[niwotsblessing]

FTR, I’m not advocating trading away Lehky. But some of you folks are acting like it’s taboo to even mention it.

I know Lehkonen is clutch. So was the first Drury. Still got traded. Now, act like a GM and tell us what Lehky’s weaknesses are? That’s a fair question in evaluating each player. All of us do it here as well. We did it with Rants.

After Chris Drury was traded the Avs did not win The Cup again for another generation.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

After Chris Drury was traded the Avs did not win The Cup again for another generation.

The part of me that always feels terrible for Buffalo fans, can't help but giggle a bit that the last time they had a good team... They were wearing the ugly Buffalo head and then moved to the Buffaslug rather than wearing those absolutely beautiful crossed Sabre jerseys.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

With the complete lack of picks, I really hope the Avs go after any of the decent NCAA/CHL/Euro UFAs. Go grab Quinn Hutson, TJ Hughes, Carter King, Matt Davis, etc.