Confirmed with Link: Avs sign Evan Rodrigues - 1 year 2M AAV

[Foppa2118]

Saying he loves carrying the puck and almost always shoots the puck doesn't suggest he's a blackhole?

He doesn't share the puck. The puck goes to him and it's never seen by anyone else again.

Just because he likes to carry the puck in transition, doesn't mean he doesn't like to share the puck.

If you watch his goals from last year, most of them come from passes where he only had the puck on his stick for 1-2 seconds before shooting. So if he's carrying the puck a lot, that means at some point he passed to these guys, so they could pass back to him and shoot quickly.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Just because he likes to carry the puck in transition, doesn't mean he doesn't like to share the puck.

If you watch his goals from last year, most of them come from passes where he only had the puck on his stick for 1-2 seconds before shooting. So if he's carrying the puck a lot, that means at some point he passed to these guys, so they could pass back to him and shoot quickly.

I'd be reluctant to go strictly by 19 highlights from an entire season. However, please also understand that I'm going strictly by testimonials from those who present themselves as being familiar with him and lead others to believe they've watched him a decent amount. Some of my comments are referencing observations from others.

I will say however, that the goals highlights, does give you a sense of how he is in transition. And this a positive.

 

[missionAvs]

For someone with blinders on and can't pass, his passing metrics are surprisingly good (except on the PP):

View attachment 584339

There's also a good article written by the Pen's Athletic guy talking about how his (2021) early season metrics matched the eye test, especially for zone entry offence. Looks like his style of play was tailor made for the Avs:

Behind the Penguins’ hot streak, there’s Evan Rodrigues and the art of carrying the puck

Evan Rodrigues is pacing career highs in every offensive category, so let's take a look at some elements of his game enabling that success.

theathletic.com

He'll fit in quite nicely with those power play assist metrics haha.

 

[Jayevs]

I’m kind of expecting a centre version of Donskoi

 

[Freaky Styley]

I’m kind of expecting a centre version of Donskoi

He's quicker and has better finish than Donskoi IMO. A littel feistier too I think. When Donskoi is off he's pretty useless, and his consistency is his biggest issue.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

There’s going to be less outright talent up front. If things work out this season, the Avs are going to have to do it with depth and guys that play their style. Rodriquez and Meyers are going to be key to this, as is Newhook continuing to develop and Nuke/Lehky continuing where they left off in the playoffs.

Things could significantly change by the deadline as well.

 

[AvsFan2123]

Could quite possibly be the steal of free agency. 1 year for only 2M?!?! Sign me tf up. We obviously know Compher has shown he is NOT that guy. He’s had ample opportunity. Newhook also isn’t quite ready for this yet IMO. I think him as a permanent staple on the third with PP2 time would bode well for his development. So we sign the guy that had the stats to show he could be fit for this role (and as certain as life, death, and taxes HF Avs bitches lol). Say he’s not the guy. That’s why we have time till the deadline to figure something out. This team is still so damn good they can coast to a playoff spot with home ice. Say he’s not the guy worst case scenario. Is this lineup really that bad?

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Nichushkin
Lehkonen-2C-Rantanen
Newhook-Compher-Rodrigues
Cogliano-Meyers-Helm/LOC

Still have Blidh, Sedlak, Olausson, Maltsev, Hudson as F depth.

 

[Avsboy]

Only 2-3 people have bitched about this move. There’s also henchman who insists ERod is a standard third liner.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

There’s going to be less outright talent up front. If things work out this season, the Avs are going to have to do it with depth and guys that play their style. Rodriquez and Meyers are going to be key to this, as is Newhook continuing to develop and Nuke/Lehky continuing where they left off in the playoffs.

Things could significantly change by the deadline as well.

Please don’t spell Rodrigues with a z ever again.

He’s Portuguese, not Spanish.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Could quite possibly be the steal of free agency. 1 year for only 2M?!?! Sign me tf up. We obviously know Compher has shown he is NOT that guy. He’s had ample opportunity. Newhook also isn’t quite ready for this yet IMO. I think him as a permanent staple on the third with PP2 time would bode well for his development. So we sign the guy that had the stats to show he could be fit for this role (and as certain as life, death, and taxes HF Avs bitches lol). Say he’s not the guy. That’s why we have time till the deadline to figure something out. This team is still so damn good they can coast to a playoff spot with home ice. Say he’s not the guy worst case scenario. Is this lineup really that bad?

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Nichushkin
Lehkonen-2C-Rantanen
Newhook-Compher-Rodrigues
Cogliano-Meyers-Helm/LOC

Still have Blidh, Sedlak, Olausson, Maltsev, Hudson as F depth.

I don’t see why ERod is a significant upgrade over JTC? Maybe he’s better, but it’s not like JT didn’t have a crucial depth role in us winning the cup last year. Good signing with no real downside but he’s not going to change much about the team and the level we hit.

 

[StaalForOne]

I always thought Brandon Sutter was a good comparable for him, if that helps at all.

I also think a lot of the things being said of Burakowsky could be said of Erod. His neutral zone play and puck carrying is great, but his offensive zone instincts leave a lot to be desired. Missing (not seeing) open players on the rush, forcing bad passes, passing to point men who aren't there, poor angle or low danger shots that miss the net fairly often. I do think he's got much better compete than Burakowsky though. Not to say Buro was lazy, but Erod definitely has a motor on him.

He's a good player, I just think a few of you may want to temper your expectations.

 

[henchman21]

Only 2-3 people have bitched about this move. There’s also henchman who insists ERod is a standard third liner.

Because that's all he really is.

 

[Miri]

Maybe Avs will turn him into another Nichushkin. 25 goals 25 assists playing two way game

He may even start playing three-way game :-P Now that would be something.

 

[AvsFan2123]

I’m not expecting Rodrigues to be Kadri 2.0. It’s obviously a downgrade. But IMO and guys I respect like JFresh, Dom, the stats show this is an upgrade over Newhook and Compher. So while he’s not the best player fit for the role, I think there’s a good chance we see similar production, while hopefully avoiding the second half of the season he had. I think 15-20 goals and around 45/50 points is totally within reach. I mean this is also the best we could’ve done in free agency given our cap crunch. There was another player or two who could’ve been a better fit but they got paid more. Gotta be planning for the Mack extension and hopefully them retaining Byram AND Toews.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

I mean... I'm as much of a stats guy as anyone but ERod most certainly is not Kadri 2.0.


If he hits 50 points that is an insanely good year for him.

 

[AvsFan2123]

I mean... I'm as much of a stats guy as anyone but ERod most certainly is not Kadri 2.0.


If he hits 50 points that is an insanely good year for him.

I never said he was. But I totally think from a numbers standpoint, he can replicate it here. I think he’ll be given first crack at 2C. He’ll be surrounded by solid line mates with likes of what seems to be Lehkonen and Rantanen. Get PP time. As long as he stays healthy I think 40+ is in the books again.

 

[Pokecheque]

I imagine he will be a lesser version of Burakovsky in both good and bad ways, the highs will not be as high, but the lows will not be nearly as frustrating.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I’m not expecting Rodrigues to be Kadri 2.0. It’s obviously a downgrade. But IMO and guys I respect like JFresh, Dom, the stats show this is an upgrade over Newhook and Compher. So while he’s not the best player fit for the role, I think there’s a good chance we see similar production, while hopefully avoiding the second half of the season he had. I think 15-20 goals and around 45/50 points is totally within reach. I mean this is also the best we could’ve done in free agency given our cap crunch. There was another player or two who could’ve been a better fit but they got paid more. Gotta be planning for the Mack extension and hopefully them retaining Byram AND Toews.

Last year ERod was certainly better. But the 2 years prior, there really isn’t much a difference between them analytically. ERod is a good signing that gives us better depth, but he’s a solid 3rd liner, just like Compher. Nothing more nothing less.

 

[GoNordiquesGo]

I don't have the patience, time nor skill on this board to do it myself but if someone is interested, it could be interesting to make a poll to see if they could choose only 3 of the 4, which of those four contracts fans would select Avs to pass on:
1) 27 years old Nichushkin at 8 x $6.15M
2) 27 years old Lehkonen at 5 x $4.5M
3) 31 years old Kadri at 7 X $7M
4) 30 years old Manson at 4 X $4.5M

I have a feeling that the question is a little simplistic however. I think that they could have passed on a $4.5M Manson or Lehkonen and made it work this year, but would have had a problem next year with the raises to Mac, Byram and Newhook. So part of their decision is not purely based on this year but on projecting for next year also.

 

[henchman21]

I don't have the patience, time nor skill on this board to do it myself but if someone is interested, it could be interesting to make a poll to see if they could choose only 3 of the 4, which of those four contracts fans would select Avs to pass on:
1) 27 years old Nichushkin at 8 x $6.15M
2) 27 years old Lehkonen at 5 x $4.5M
3) 31 years old Kadri at 7 X $7M
4) 30 years old Manson at 4 X $4.5M

Manson...

 

[RampoSanta]

I don't have the patience, time nor skill on this board to do it myself but if someone is interested, it could be interesting to make a poll to see if they could choose only 3 of the 4, which of those four contracts fans would select Avs to pass on:
1) 27 years old Nichushkin at 8 x $6.15M
2) 27 years old Lehkonen at 5 x $4.5M
3) 31 years old Kadri at 7 X $7M
4) 30 years old Manson at 4 X $4.5M

I have a feeling that the question is a little simplistic however. I think that they could have passed on a $4.5M Manson or Lehkonen and made it work this year, but would have had a problem next year with the raises to Mac, Byram and Newhook. So part of their decision is not purely based on this year but on projecting for next year also.

Kadri because of term. Manson a close second. Then Nuke distant third and I would take the Lehkonen contract on any day of the week ending in Y

 

[The Abusement Park]

I don't have the patience, time nor skill on this board to do it myself but if someone is interested, it could be interesting to make a poll to see if they could choose only 3 of the 4, which of those four contracts fans would select Avs to pass on:
1) 27 years old Nichushkin at 8 x $6.15M
2) 27 years old Lehkonen at 5 x $4.5M
3) 31 years old Kadri at 7 X $7M
4) 30 years old Manson at 4 X $4.5M

I have a feeling that the question is a little simplistic however. I think that they could have passed on a $4.5M Manson or Lehkonen and made it work this year, but would have had a problem next year with the raises to Mac, Byram and Newhook. So part of their decision is not purely based on this year but on projecting for next year also.

Manson easily. Kadris probably ages the worst, but he at least fills by far the biggest hole on the roster for a couple years.

 

[Pokecheque]

Manson's deal becomes far more palatable if EJ's isn't still on the books.

 

[Avsboy]

With Kadri at 7x7 how do you afford Byram and Newhook?

 

[henchman21]

With Kadri at 7x7 how do you afford Byram and Newhook?

By not overpaying depth.