Salary Cap: Chris MacFarland - Record as Avalanche GM (Updates In First Post)

[Avsfan1921]

I think my argument is the alternative path gives them more money to upgrade on other areas, like the defensive depth, and goalies. I've always preferred the path I'm suggeting.

I'm not sure Toews just needs to get healthy, unless he's played injured for almost three years now.

It's not that Toews sucks, it's that the top pair has a certain level of play he needs to be capable of, and even more so when paired with Cale playing as a rover at times, and it's even more important when you lack quality on some of the other pairs.

With his level of play post Cup, and him getting further and further away from 30 every year, it's less and less likely he can gt back to that level of play. They placed a big gamble on him, and so far it hasn't worked out. And that's just in terms of him. Keeping him has other impacts on the team as I mentioned.

I respect that you see things differently though.

I lean more to the_fan on this one. Toews hasn’t been spectacular but replacing him with an upgrade is near impossible . We don’t have the cap space nor assets to pull it off. Girard has looked ok with Makar and shifting those two with each other on a more consistent basis may be the in-house solution to what needs to be done. And imo, the team defence is more of an issue than the actual defencemen. There’s no cohesion on the ice and that is a far bigger problem than who we have on the bottom pair. So in essence, downgrading from Toews to whoever just to add defensive depth should be a no go imo.

 

[Foppa2118]

I lean more to the_fan on this one. Toews hasn’t been spectacular but replacing him with an upgrade is near impossible . We don’t have the cap space nor assets to pull it off. Girard has looked ok with Makar and shifting those two with each other on a more consistent basis may be the in-house solution to what needs to be done. And imo, the team defence is more of an issue than the actual defencemen. There’s no cohesion on the ice and that is a far bigger problem than who we have on the bottom pair. So in essence, downgrading from Toews to whoever just to add defensive depth should be a no go imo.

My argument isn't that they could have replaced Toews with an upgrade. It's that they could have gotten a similar player, or even a slight downgrade, and with the cap savings have been a better team.

The problem isn't Toews per se. It's his cap hit for the top pair role he plays, combined with his level of play. If he played on the 2nd pair it wouldn't be an issue, but with his cap hit, you can't have him on the 2nd pair either. It's a catch 22.

I've never been a fan of the Girard-Makar pairing. It's been victimized many times, that's why Bednar hasn't used it in years. It may work at times during the regular season, but it will very likely have issues in the playoffs.

Net front coverage especially is an issue for all the defenseman on the team aside from Manson, and Manson has trouble staying healthy, so they need another guy who can help in that area.

Neither Toews or Makar are great at defending the front of the net. With how many minutes they play, it's a liability when both guys have a big vulnerability in one area. Girard for all his elite puck moving ability, is worse in this area than Toews.

Defending the front of the net is a must in the playoffs, when scoring goes down, and teams up their compete level, and their battle in front of the net for greasy goals, while the refs put whistles away and let defenseman get away with more liberties defending.

The Avs need to improve in this area, because this has led to a lot of big goals against in the playoffs, especially last year. It's their biggest weakness in terms of personnel IMO.

 

[the_fan]

I think my argument is the alternative path gives them more money to upgrade on other areas, like the defensive depth, and goalies. I've always preferred the path I'm suggeting.

I'm not sure Toews just needs to get healthy, unless he's played injured for almost three years now.

It's not that Toews sucks, it's that the top pair has a certain level of play he needs to be capable of, and even more so when paired with Cale playing as a rover at times, and it's even more important when you lack quality on some of the other pairs.

With his level of play post Cup, and him getting further and further away from 30 every year, it's less and less likely he can gt back to that level of play. They placed a big gamble on him, and so far it hasn't worked out. And that's just in terms of him. Keeping him has other impacts on the team as I mentioned.

I respect that you see things differently though.

I also respect your take and I do understand what you’re saying. It’s the same discussion which often goes on here about Mikko. If we trade Mikko we can improve the Avs overall depth. Here is why I don’t agree with it, and don’t see it happening.

If we trade Mikko or Toews to improve depth, obviously we can’t trade them for players that make the same money, so we have to trade them for cheaper players, but that will downgrade the top of the lineup. We will have better bottom 6 forwards and bottom pair d-men, but our top end will be downgraded.

The issue with that is, if we’re doing that l, we have to completely change the identity of the team. Will need to change the coaches, implement a new system where we play more of a grinding defensive style game.

Without Mikko, we’re losing 50 goals and 100 points, and no matter how much depth we gain by trading him, and how much better our 3rd and 4th lines get, it’s not gonna cover the point production we lose with Mikko gone, which also means Nate’s production will go down as well.

Same with replacing Toews with cheaper d-men to improve the bottom pairings. Our top pair will be downgraded. We have to become one of those defensive minded, grinding teams, and I don’t think Avs will ever change their identity that way

 

[Foppa2118]

I also respect your take and I do understand what you’re saying. It’s the same discussion which often goes on here about Mikko. If we trade Mikko we can improve the Avs overall depth. Here is why I don’t agree with it, and don’t see it happening.

If we trade Mikko or Toews to improve depth, obviously we can’t trade them for players that make the same money, so we have to trade them for cheaper players, but that will downgrade the top of the lineup. We will have better bottom 6 forwards and bottom pair d-men, but our top end will be downgraded.

The issue with that is, if we’re doing that l, we have to completely change the identity of the team. Will need to change the coaches, implement a new system where we play more of a grinding defensive style game.

Without Mikko, we’re losing 50 goals and 100 points, and no matter how much depth we gain by trading him, and how much better our 3rd and 4th lines get, it’s not gonna cover the point production we lose with Mikko gone, which also means Nate’s production will go down as well.

Same with replacing Toews with cheaper d-men to improve the bottom pairings. Our top pair will be downgraded. We have to become one of those defensive minded, grinding teams, and I don’t think Avs will ever change their identity that way

I think the important distinction there though is that Mikko can still play at a very high level. While Toews has regressed, this is probably the best Mikko has ever played.

I also think that with Mikko's pure skill level that Toews doesn't really have, along with how Mikko is built, and his athleticism, and diet, he can play at a high level into his 30's the way Malkin and others have.

I acknowledge it's an unknown on how well he will actually play post contract year though.

 

[the_fan]

I think the important distinction there though is that Mikko can still play at a very high level. While Toews has regressed, this is probably the best Mikko has ever played.

I also think that with Mikko's pure skill level that Toews doesn't really have, along with how Mikko is built, and his athleticism, and diet, he can play at a high level into his 30's the way Malkin and others have.

I acknowledge it's an unknown on how well he will actually play post contract year though.

I’d like to know what type of injury Toews is playing with, and how he will play if he’s 100% before I can say he’s regressing

 

[Foppa2118]

I’d like to know what type of injury Toews is playing with, and how he will play if he’s 100% before I can say he’s regressing

Can we agree that this is the third year in a row we've been discussing Toews regression though, and that it's very unlikely he's been injured the whole time?

Most all of 22-23 was an issue.

From about Jan-March in 23-24 was the only time it wasn't an issue IMO, and that was after he called out the new guys, and had to back it up with his own play.

It dipped right before the playoffs again, and then wasn't great in the playoffs either, and has continued this year.

He hasn't been a total sieve, it's mostly just because of the level of play required playing so many minutes on the top pair, while being a safety net for Cale, combined with having a top heavy D core that places even more importance on the top pair playing well.

 

[the_fan]

Can we agree that this is the third year in a row we've been discussing Toews regression though, and that it's very unlikely he's been injured the whole time?

Most all of 22-23 was an issue.

From about Jan-March in 23-24 was the only time it wasn't an issue IMO, and that was after he called out the new guys, and had to back it up with his own play.

It dipped right before the playoffs again, and then wasn't great in the playoffs either, and has continued this year.

He hasn't been a total sieve, it's mostly just because of the level of play required playing so many minutes on the top pair, while being a safety net for Cale, combined with having a top heavy D core that places even more importance on the top pair playing well.

I think he was fine last year and year before. Put up his usual 50 points and was a plus 39 and 28. I think this year is a noticeable regression but again, if he’s not 100%, Im hoping he’ll get there and start playing better, but I’m ok with the contract extension

 

[Foppa2118]

I think he was fine last year and year before. Put up his usual 50 points and was a plus 39 and 28. I think this year is a noticeable regression but again, if he’s not 100%, Im hoping he’ll get there and start playing better, but I’m ok with the contract extension

IIRC it was pretty widely agreed upon that he was not playing well in 22-23, and in the first half of last season, before he called out the new guys.

I'm talking defensively. Offensively he's fine, and he's always going to have a good +/- playing with Cale, and matched with MacKinnon's line almost every shift.

I didn't think he was great from around April through the playoffs last year either, but that's more subjective on my part.

 

[shadow1]

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	CF%	xGF	xGA	ATOI
First Half	15	1	4	5	-6	52.5	2.56	2.55	22:42
Second Half	15	0	8	8	+9	56.7	2.67	2.26	25:19

As far as this year goes, the October injury did a number on Toews.

But if we split his season in half, during the ass half portion he's got the highest even-strength goal differential on the team at +10 (T-4th in the NHL). And that split includes a few dubious games, like the Tampa Bay filleting.

2021-2022 was his peak, but he's still a top-pairing guy now. As long he keeps up his "second half" play, at least.

 

[the_fan]

IIRC it was pretty widely agreed upon that he was not playing well in 22-23, and in the first half of last season, before he called out the new guys.

I'm talking defensively. Offensively he's fine, and he's always going to have a good +/- playing with Cale, and matched with MacKinnon's line almost every shift.

I didn't think he was great from around April through the playoffs last year either, but that's more subjective on my part.

Well his points have dropped this year as well. He’s on pace for 35 points I believe

 

[Pokecheque]

In CMac’s defense, it’s not his fault that Toews hasn’t been himself because he’s not 100% and playing injured. Also not his fault that Manson got injured, Girard can be good and bad depends on the day. If you look at it that way, we need a complete new blueline. Pretty much keep Makar and replace everyone else which is not realistic

One of MacFarland’s worst moves was one of his first—re-signing Josh Manson. Manson has been mostly awful since signing that contract, and when he hasn’t been awful, he’s been hurt. So actually, yeah, it IS his fault.

Toews has regressed and that was to be expected, but he’s also being overworked IMO. He shouldn’t be a top PK defenseman either.

Sammy is still delivering good value (not great but good) on his current contract. It ain’t the top three guys who are the problem, it’s the guys below them.

All in all they had to deal Byram to address the 2C situation they failed to address in 2022, and failed miserably in addressing in 2023. I’m not saying they’d still have Byram now but they could’ve found a way to bring in beef on the blueline without committing money and term to an increasingly fragile and ineffective Manson.

 

[the_fan]

One of MacFarland’s worst moves was one of his first—re-signing Josh Manson. Manson has been mostly awful since signing that contract, and when he hasn’t been awful, he’s been hurt. So actually, yeah, it IS his fault.

Toews has regressed and that was to be expected, but he’s also being overworked IMO. He shouldn’t be a top PK defenseman either.

Sammy is still delivering good value (not great but good) on his current contract. It ain’t the top three guys who are the problem, it’s the guys below them.

All in all they had to deal Byram to address the 2C situation they failed to address in 2022, and failed miserably in addressing in 2023. I’m not saying they’d still have Byram now but they could’ve found a way to bring in beef on the blueline without committing money and term to an increasingly fragile and ineffective Manson

Well then you’re saying CMac should have completely changed the blueline after the cup win. Usually teams try to keep the same roster as much as possible after a cup win, and you’re saying CMac should have completely changed the blueline because he already traded Byram, and if he got rid of Toews and Manson, he’d have to do a complete new blueline rebuild which again, no team that wins cups do that

 

[Alienblood]

I'm actually lowering my 3 to a 2.

The fact is, between Bednar's (and I guess it's also Pratt's) bad PK system that requires faster-skating defensemen on it, and the fact that MacFarland keeps getting bargain bin depth defenders and about the same exact knock on every one of them is "they can't kill penalties," we're still seeing Cale Makar played into tground. It's as much the fault of the GM as it is the coach IMO.

23 mins for Cale , if he can't handle that then there is something wrong

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

23 mins for Cale , if he can't handle that then there is something wrong

He is too precious to be played more. Our precious.

 

[Pokecheque]

Well then you’re saying CMac should have completely changed the blueline after the cup win. Usually teams try to keep the same roster as much as possible after a cup win, and you’re saying CMac should have completely changed the blueline because he already traded Byram, and if he got rid of Toews and Manson, he’d have to do a complete new blueline rebuild which again, no team that wins cups do that

Getting rid of one defenseman is not “completely changing the blueline.” Where did I say he should’ve gotten rid of Toews? Also, I think a Byram trade was inevitable but at least if he had done more to address the 2C situation right off the bat like he should have, he could’ve flipped Byram to address a different need.

 

[Pokecheque]

23 mins for Cale , if he can't handle that then there is something wrong

As usual, you’re not paying attention. 23 minutes on the second half of a back to back, the previous of which he was on the ice for over 30 minutes.

And I need to find confirmation—I can’t tell for certain if that 23 minutes is just even strength or total TOI.

 

[the_fan]

Getting rid of one defenseman is not “completely changing the blueline.” Where did I say he should’ve gotten rid of Toews? Also, I think a Byram trade was inevitable but at least if he had done more to address the 2C situation right off the bat like he should have, he could’ve flipped Byram to address a different need.

I’m not saying CMac is perfect, but re-signing Manson was the right move at the time because Manson was a beast in the cup run, and we didn’t have another d-man with size after EJ left.

You’re right, Byram trade was gonna happen no matter what. First of all we needed a 2C and secondly Byram wasn’t happy being behind Makar and Toews and he wanted to be a top pair guy and eventually he wants to be a #1 D. Wasn’t gonna happen with the Avs

 

[Pokecheque]

I’m not saying CMac is perfect, but re-signing Manson was the right move at the time because Manson was a beast in the cup run, and we didn’t have another d-man with size after EJ left.

You’re right, Byram trade was gonna happen no matter what. First of all we needed a 2C and secondly Byram wasn’t happy being behind Makar and Toews and he wanted to be a top pair guy and eventually he wants to be a #1 D. Wasn’t gonna happen with the Avs

IMO it wasn’t the right move at all. A stay-at-home defenseman with and already lengthy injury history who was on the wrong side of 30 at the time. He was an objectively brilliant dead acquisition, but the wise move would’ve been to move on and allocate that cap space for other needs. You can find big defensemen anywhere in the league, they’re a dime a dozen. Obviously they likely won’t be as good as Manson, but they will probably be better value on a cheap contract.

Second line center will always, always, ALWAYS be more important than a #4 defenseman. Prioritizing the latter over the former was dumb. Especially in a title defense year.

And before you say anything, Bednar and the coaching staff knew that Newhook wasn’t good enough to fill that role, management forced them to try and shoehorn him into that role (with Compher as an inadequate placeholder) which predictably ended in disaster.

 

[the_fan]

IMO it wasn’t the right move at all. A stay-at-home defenseman with and already lengthy injury history who was on the wrong side of 30 at the time. He was an objectively brilliant dead acquisition, but the wise move would’ve been to move on and allocate that cap space for other needs. You can find big defensemen anywhere in the league, they’re a dime a dozen. Obviously they likely won’t be as good as Manson, but they will probably be better value on a cheap contract.

Second line center will always, always, ALWAYS be more important than a #4 defenseman. Prioritizing the latter over the former was dumb. Especially in a title defense year.

And before you say anything, Bednar and the coaching staff knew that Newhook wasn’t good enough to fill that role, management forced them to try and shoehorn him into that role (with Compher as an inadequate placeholder) which predictably ended in disaster.

You’re absolutely right as far as a 2C being more important than #4 D. I for one wanted Kadri re-signed but I don’t think giving Naz 7 mill for 7 or 8 years would have been a good idea because of his age. We do need Mittelstadt to get going again and play like he did in the beginning of the season. Definitely need him to produce if we gonna do anything in the playoffs

 

[Pokecheque]

You’re absolutely right as far as a 2C being more important than #4 D. I for one wanted Kadri re-signed but I don’t think giving Naz 7 mill for 7 or 8 years would have been a good idea because of his age. We do need Mittelstadt to get going again and play like he did in the beginning of the season. Definitely need him to produce if we gonna do anything in the playoffs

They could’ve addressed the 2C problem in other ways that wouldn’t have included handing the bag to Kadri. Not doing so torpedoed their 2022-23 season and forced them to make trades not once, but twice in attempts to finally get someone there. A guy like Manson simply doesn’t move the needle enough to warrant that kind of commitment, even if he maintained his form from the playoffs. Which of course, he hasn’t. Not even close.

Also, they should’ve moved on from Newhook way sooner, like that summer, while his trade value as a prospect was higher.

 

[the_fan]

They could’ve addressed the 2C problem in other ways that wouldn’t have included handing the bag to Kadri. Not doing so torpedoed their 2022-23 season and forced them to make trades not once, but twice in attempts to finally get someone there. A guy like Manson simply doesn’t move the needle enough to warrant that kind of commitment, even if he maintained his form from the playoffs. Which of course, he hasn’t. Not even close.

Also, they should’ve moved on from Newhook way sooner, like that summer, while his trade value as a prospect was higher.

Until last season, CMac was handcuffed by Landy situation not knowing if he’s gonna come back or not, so that didn’t help with making roster decisions. Only last year we knew for sure that Landy wasn’t coming back. Hopefully we get clarity this year before the trade deadline.

 

[Richard88]

Changed my vote from a 5 to a 3. I gave him the benefit of the doubt for a while after the cup win as he was to a large extent the brain behind that roster build, but since then the description of 3 is most accurate. "Some good decisions, some bad".