Rumor: 23-24 Trade Rumors and Free Agency Part Trois: The Road to the Deadline

[Avs44]

I don't know why you or anyone else around here have such a hatred for him. It's just plain absurd at this point. I mean, now, still!?! That's way more ridiculous than anyone still spitting venom at the mere mention of Matt Duchene.

He was signed onto a team that was picking itself off the mat and had no forward depth to speak of. He was a perfectly capable utility guy for them and during the time of the "Roommates" he was not only the best center of the bunch, he was also the most consistent and least frustrating. And before you say anything, yes, JTC eventually surpassed him but it took a looooong time and a nearly two-year stretch where he was inarguably horrible.

And then, when it was time to move on, the Avs packaged him and Barrie for Kadri and Rosen, who was later flipped back to Toronto for Hutchinson, who at least helped the Avs win a playoff game, so that's a WIN all around.

Why are people on here STILL mad at him? What were the f***ing expectations? He was just a depth forward, nothing more. Avs spent literally no assets to get him, he was a perfectly good placeholder during that time and then he played a role in snagging probably the second most important player in the 2022 Cup run.

Even if y'all don't think he was any good, he vastly overachieved during his time in Colorado and then the Avs parlayed him in a trade that was highway robbery in hindsight. I won't be mad if he comes back, I'll be mad if the Avs fail to address either one of their major issues by this time Friday.

Look, I don't have any hate for him personally -- nobody should, he was a consumate professional. But I think the reason for the disgust at the prospect of bringing him back should be clear.

1) He represents a very frustrating period of Avs hockey where the Avs had star talent but were held back by management's idiotic insistence on trying to shove Jost/Kerfoot/Compher and then Newhook into roles they were not prepared to handle. They wasted good years doing that until they finally got their stuff together and acquired Kadri. Re-acquiring Kerfoot would feel like a horrible return to that period. And we know damn well that if they bring Kerfoot back they aren't going out and acquiring a high end #2 center elsewhere to boot.

2) Kerfoot is an annoying player to watch -- and it's even worse come playoffs. He's the muffin man. He passes up shots; loses puck battles; and managed 5 points in 18 playoff games here. Career, he's got 6 goals in 48 playoff games now. And honestly, those paper stats are kinda flattering for how awful he looks in the playoffs.

 

[Avsfan1921]

I will argue this point because you are absolutely wrong.

Just a word of caution for you:

Stats are like politicians. They have a place but you can find one anywhere to support your argument.

Stats are not everything in hockey.

 

[hockeyfish]

Glimmer of hope.

 

[The Pwnerer]

The Wennberg-Bednar connection cannot be denied. Cmac go get your man.

 

[lonelybadger]

If you go by the rumors... Avs are looking for a RD and willing to part with a 1st for that position if they take on RyJo. So just a theoretical that ties to the rumors... 1st + RyJo for Walker, Byram for Mittelstadt. Then the team is:

Lehky-Mack-Rants
Landy-Mitts-Nuke
Wood-Colton-LOC
Parise-Wagner-Drouin/Kivi

Toews-Makar
G-Walker
JMFJ-Manson

That is a huge improvement over the lineup today.

Don't forget Dowd too!

 

[forsbergavs32]

I’m ready for everyone to be upset if we trade for Wennberg.

I’m also ready for everyone to be upset if we don’t trade for Wennberg

 

[Avs_19]

Why does Bjugstad keep getting thrown in with 2C's? Has Elliotte never watched him play?

 

[henchman21]

2) Kerfoot is an annoying player to watch -- and it's even worse come playoffs. He's the muffin man. He passes up shots; loses puck battles; and managed 5 points in 18 playoff games here. Career, he's got 6 goals in 48 playoff games now. And honestly, those paper stats are kinda flattering for how awful he looks in the playoffs.

You're going to love the 6'2" version of him.

 

[Chibby]

FWIW Seravalli on his podcast looped us with Edmonton and Vegas saying he’d be shocked if all 3 teams still had their first rounders by Saturday.

Felt Henrique is too slow for Avs.

 

[NateTheGreat]

I'm just stating facts too. He's played 196 of 906 with JMFJ. Yes that has an impact, but his 215+ with each of Girard and Manson are more than he's played with JMFJ.

JJ plays the least minutes amongst our D and Byram has played only 20 minutes more with Manson/G than he has with JJ while averaging the 3rd most minutes on the back end.

JJ plays with Manson and Bo more than anyone else by a large margin and Manson is actually a RD unlike Byram having to play his off hand, that’s facts.

 

[Avs44]

You're going to love the 6'2" version of him.

Oh don't worry, I'm very excited to watch the love child of Kerfoot and Johansen in an Avs uniform.

 

[henchman21]

JJ plays the least minutes amongst our D and Byram has played only 20 minutes more with Manson/G than he has with JJ while averaging the 3rd most minutes on the back end.

JJ plays with Manson and Bo more than anyone else by a large margin and Manson is actually a RD unlike Byram having to play his off hand, that’s facts.

Yeah but we are talking about Byram... Byram has played ~25% of his time with JMFJ, ~25% of his time with G, ~25% of his time with Manson, and ~25% of his time with Makar/Toews. If Byram was just bad with JMFJ... that would be one thing. He's just been bad. He's a guy that brings Makar below 50% xGF%.

 

[hockeyfish]

Biggest reason we can't trade for Bjugstad is I'm going to give him an abbreveated nickname that is going to get me in trouble.

 

[Avs_19]

Wennberg would be another BS half measure who won't provide what this team needs.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

FWIW Seravalli on his podcast looped us with Edmonton and Vegas saying he’d be shocked if all 3 teams still had their first rounders by Saturday.

Avs will use theirs to get rid of RyJo, and get not much in return.

Felt Henrique is too slow for Avs.

Has he seen that RyJo, Mikko, and Jack Johnson play for the Avs?

 

[NateTheGreat]

Yeah but we are talking about Byram... Byram has played ~25% of his time with JMFJ, ~25% of his time with G, ~25% of his time with Manson, and ~25% of his time with Makar/Toews. If Byram was just bad with JMFJ... that would be one thing. He's just been bad. He's a guy that brings Makar below 50% xGF%.

xGF% is not the be all end all of stats, not sure why you keep referencing that one stat, but to each their own.

Byram’s numbers are quite good with Girard and Manson, they crater with JJ.

 

[Chibby]

I think CNap’s conservative approach to RyJo would be to just keep him. I don’t see him moving a 1st + RyJo for scraps. He tried that trade piece to land Tanev.

 

[lonelybadger]

Everyone talking about needing Byram in the finals to win a cup. The Avs won't get to the second round without a real 2C.

Zegras and Casey M (I can't spell his name) seek like the only viable options. Trading mediocre picks for lars ellers or RYJO hasn't worked.

I would like the Avs to ditch RYJO, add a real 2c and a real 4C, and probably a RD.

Will it cost them literally all their assets? Of course, but this year and maybe next year is it. The core is aging, the holes are getting bigger and the NHL is a cruel mistress.

I don't think there's a real chance landeskog comes back but if it's a real shot it's probably only one run before his knee explodes.

We need to be the blue jackets that year they upset Tampa.

 

[NateTheGreat]

I find it funny that they said it’s trade related “issues” and not trade related “reasons”.

If we get Wennberg along with Buchnevich or Guentzel that’s probably the best we can hope for at this point. A bigger trade for an actual 2C will have to wait till the off-season.

 

[LOFIN]

I think CNap’s conservative approach to RyJo would be to just keep him. I don’t see him moving a 1st + RyJo for scraps. He tried that trade piece to land Tanev.

CNap lmao. Goes well with Sleepy Joe.

 

[henchman21]

xGF% is not the be all end all of stats, not sure why you keep referencing that one stat, but to each their own.

Byram’s numbers are quite good with Girard and Manson, they crater with JJ.

It is just one stat that incorporates a few areas. We can go for others. The stats are very good with Girard, solid to good with Manson. Bad elsewhere.

 

[AvsWraith]

Would way rather have Henrique over Wennberg, especially if the trade involves our 1st.

Stop with the Columbus connections, and just go for the better player.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[dahrougem2]

Pls no

 

[The Moops]

Gearing up to be a most disappointing week. Glad we won when we did, because MacK is going to turn into Mark Stone. His back won't be able to handle carrying the entire team through the playoffs