Rumor: 2026 Trade Rumors and Free Agency: Offseason Edition

[AvsWraith]

And the Sharks 9th. Byram had way more value around the league than we all thought.

But what about Brindley? Surely he has top 10 value as well, right?

 

[MacKaRtin]

Pulju with Kakko on the new look fourth line.

Add in Kotkaniemi to center them, and you have the ultimate trio of Finnish underachievers

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[missionAvs]

I hope someone offer sheets Bednar.

 

[The AntiBob]

Tuch making 1m less than Necas in ridiculous

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Its fair to be critical of the Byram trade we made, especially given how Mittelstadt worked out for us...

But I think theres a pretty significant factor not being discussed enough on Byram in this little circle right now... Which is that his value has likely increased quite substantially from when we traded him.

The year we traded him, he had a career high of 24 points in a season, and in his 3 full seasons with the Avs, had played just a total of 91 regular season games to that point. The concussions were a major concern. Remember there was plenty of conversation back then about him being 1 more bad hit away from retirement.

But since that trade, hes basically put those concerns to rest. He played 73 games the year we traded him, and has played very single possible game since then as well.

So now he's basically proven to be fully healthy... And while I still think he's quite overrated(As evidence by some of the delusion from the randoms posting in this thread the last couple of days), he's certainly a legit Top 4D for sure and still young enough for teams to believe theres more upside in his game as well.


So, certainly the Mittelstadt deal worked out terribly for us, in hindsight its probably the worst trade CMac ever made for us. But Byram is a different player today then he was with us and his value is different in very large part because he's been able to stay healthy and drop those injury concerns from 3 years ago.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[zxczxczxczxczxcz]

So the Rags' 5th OA pick was on the table for Byram?

Kekäläinen got Drury and Davidson into a bidding war. Can't think of a better situation for Buffalo and the results speak for themselves.

 

[MacKaRtin]

Tuch making 1m less than Necas in ridiculous

We could have had Necas for under this number, but CMac didn't want to pull the trigger in the summer and instead waited for Necas to score a bazillion goals in the first 20 games or so before signing

 

[zxczxczxczxczxcz]

Add in Kotkaniemi to center them, and you have the ultimate trio of Finnish underachievers

At least Laine and Pulju had top tier talent. Kotkaniemi going so high baffled even us Finns. Same with Juolevi before him. NHL teams definitely have big blind spots in their scouting in Europe. Wouldn't surprise me if they only see some of these guys play at the WJC.

 

[MacKaRtin]

Its fair to be critical of the Byram trade we made, especially given how Mittelstadt worked out for us...

But I think theres a pretty significant factor not being discussed enough on Byram in this little circle right now... Which is that his value has likely increased quite substantially from when we traded him.

The year we traded him, he had a career high of 24 points in a season, and in his 3 full seasons with the Avs, had played just a total of 91 regular season games to that point. The concussions were a major concern. Remember there was plenty of conversation back then about him being 1 more bad hit away from retirement.

But since that trade, hes basically put those concerns to rest. He played 73 games the year we traded him, and has played very single possible game since then as well.

So now he's basically proven to be fully healthy... And while I still think he's quite overrated(As evidence by some of the delusion from the randoms posting in this thread the last couple of days), he's certainly a legit Top 4D for sure and still young enough for teams to believe theres more upside in his game as well.


So, certainly the Mittelstadt deal worked out terribly for us, in hindsight its probably the worst trade CMac ever made for us. But Byram is a different player today then he was with us and his value is different in very large part because he's been able to stay healthy and drop those injury concerns from 3 years ago.

Thanks for writing this up, I was thinking the same thing. Like, I remember being relieved that we got in the Byram trade before the next concussion forced his retirement

 

[Balthazar]

We could have had Necas for under this number, but CMac didn't want to pull the trigger in the summer and instead waited for Necas to score a bazillion goals in the first 20 games or so before signing

Necas held all the cards. He knew the team had just traded a franchise player for him and wouldn't want to lose him.

Ironically, Byram will be in the same position with Chicago.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Its fair to be critical of the Byram trade we made, especially given how Mittelstadt worked out for us...

But I think theres a pretty significant factor not being discussed enough on Byram in this little circle right now... Which is that his value has likely increased quite substantially from when we traded him.

The year we traded him, he had a career high of 24 points in a season, and in his 3 full seasons with the Avs, had played just a total of 91 regular season games to that point. The concussions were a major concern. Remember there was plenty of conversation back then about him being 1 more bad hit away from retirement.

But since that trade, hes basically put those concerns to rest. He played 73 games the year we traded him, and has played very single possible game since then as well.

So now he's basically proven to be fully healthy... And while I still think he's quite overrated(As evidence by some of the delusion from the randoms posting in this thread the last couple of days), he's certainly a legit Top 4D for sure and still young enough for teams to believe theres more upside in his game as well.


So, certainly the Mittelstadt deal worked out terribly for us, in hindsight its probably the worst trade CMac ever made for us. But Byram is a different player today then he was with us and his value is different in very large part because he's been able to stay healthy and drop those injury concerns from 3 years ago.

I think if they had held onto Coyle rather than throwing even more assets into Nelson then the Byram trade doesn't get so much hate.

Coyle is bigger younger and built for the playoffs and put up almost 60 points last year.

But the past is the past.

The future is Kakko and Carlo. They have the youth and bigness that the Avs need.

 

[LOFIN]

At least Laine and Pulju had top tier talent. Kotkaniemi going so high baffled even us Finns. Same with Juolevi before him. NHL teams definitely have big blind spots in their scouting in Europe. Wouldn't surprise me if they only see some of these guys play at the WJC.

In the vast majority of draft boards, Kotkaniemi was supposed to go around 8-15. The only reason he jumped so much was that Montreal desperately wanted a center, and he was literally the best one available. It was all wingers and D at the top of the 2018 draft.

And this here kids, is a lesson why you NEVER draft for position. Always the best player available.

 

[Balthazar]

So who's left for July 1st?

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

I think if they had held onto Coyle rather than throwing even more assets into Nelson then the Byram trade doesn't get so much hate.

Coyle is bigger younger and built for the playoffs and put up almost 60 points last year.

But the past is the past.

The future is Kakko and Carlo. They have the youth and bigness that the Avs need.

Yeah, I think Coyle wanted out though. Think the intensity of that Avs locker room didnt really suit him.

Tbh I still think we would have kept Nelson. Probably dont make one of the Kadri/Roy trades though would be my guess.

 

[zxczxczxczxczxcz]

If I was in charge of the Sharks I'd call up CBJ and offer that 2nd overall pick for Werenski.

 

[Balthazar]

 

[The AntiBob]

If I was in charge of the Sharks I'd call up CBJ and offer that 2nd overall pick for Werenski.

Sanheim

 

[dahrougem2]

Amazing. Dallas downgrading if true.

 

[Balthazar]

If I was in charge of the Sharks I'd call up CBJ and offer that 2nd overall pick for Werenski.

They honestly could offer all their 2026 1st rounders (#2, #9, #27) IF Werenski would verbally accept to re-up there

The thing is, it's always the same with Columbus: they want to make the playoffs now, they don't want picks.

 

[The AntiBob]

 

[Cake Malar]

You figure Buffalo has got to turn around some of these draft picks and get immediate roster help. They've gotten crazy good value out of their trades, but on paper their roster is much weaker than how they ended their season.

 

[dahrougem2]

You figure Buffalo has got to turn around some of these draft picks and get immediate roster help. They've gotten crazy good value out of their trades, but on paper their roster is much weaker than how they ended their season.

I don't believe they have any intention of drafting at #9.

 

[hockeyfish]

I don't believe they have any intention of drafting at #9.

Do they have 9 or 4, I’ve lost track?