Confirmed with Link: [COL, CAR, CHI] Rantanen-Hall to CAR, Necas-Drury-25 2nd-26 4th to COL, Chi 25 3rd to Chi (Ret 50% on Mikko)

[Foppa2118]

Necas is incredible.

I think he can still improve. If he keeps doing those practices with Drouin and MacK he will score more.

For how good Marty's talent, and speed are, his best attribute is his vision. I don't think this is talked about enough. That bodes well for his ability to keep improving on this new team that fits him well.

The way he reads the play is really, really high level. Like maybe top 5 in the league good. And to maintain that kind of vision while playing at the highest speed in the league, is truly exceptional.

That's why he fit so well right off the bat with Nate. That was all Marty's doing. He's been the main reason that line has worked so well. Nate has changed up his style from the play driver who everything goes through, to mostly hiding out in the weeds letting Marty do his thing, and waiting for him to find him. And he has pretty much every time.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Okay.

One of you is talking about today. The other is talking about two seasons ago.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

For how good Marty's talent, and speed are, his best attribute is his vision. I don't think this is talked about enough.

The way he reads the play is really, really high level. Like maybe top 5 in the league good. And to have that kind of vision while playing at the highest speed in the league, is truly exceptional.

That's why he fit so well right off the bat with Nate. That was all Marty's doing. He's been the main reason that line has worked so well. Nate has changed up his style from the play driver who everything goes through, to mostly hiding out in the weeds letting Marty do his thing, and waiting for him to find him. And he has pretty much every time.

It's also why I wouldn't mind giving him a game or two at 2C. It's not that I want him to become our 2C. I just want to see if he can get the line to play differently/better. Get some good feelings going on the second line, then swap Mitts back to center with Necas still on his wing for a bit. If Mitts can restart, then you can look at moving Necas back up to Nate's line.

But for some reason, I just feel if Mitts is going to unscrewed here it's going to be due to playing with a combination of JD and Necas for the creativity and offensive panache, but requiring Lehky for defensive support.

I would basically say Nate is a free agent and can play with anyone. But Mitts must have Lehky and one of JD or Necas. Their vision and playmaking from the wing just feel like something that could help Casey.

 

[CobraAcesS]

It's also why I wouldn't mind giving him a game or two at 2C. It's not that I want him to become our 2C. I just want to see if he can get the line to play differently/better. Get some good feelings going on the second line, then swap Mitts back to center with Necas still on his wing for a bit. If Mitts can restart, then you can look at moving Necas back up to Nate's line.

But for some reason, I just feel if Mitts is going to unscrewed here it's going to be due to playing with a combination of JD and Necas for the creativity and offensive panache, but requiring Lehky for defensive support.

I would basically say Nate is a free agent and can play with anyone. But Mitts must have Lehky and one of JD or Necas. Their vision and playmaking from the wing just feel like something that could help Casey.

Drouin and Mitts do seem to have a bit of chemistry, but Drouin has also become a bit of a Swiss army knife. We'll see more of Drouin and Lehhky with Mitts once Nuke is back.

 

[Foppa2118]

It's also why I wouldn't mind giving him a game or two at 2C. It's not that I want him to become our 2C. I just want to see if he can get the line to play differently/better. Get some good feelings going on the second line, then swap Mitts back to center with Necas still on his wing for a bit. If Mitts can restart, then you can look at moving Necas back up to Nate's line.

But for some reason, I just feel if Mitts is going to unscrewed here it's going to be due to playing with a combination of JD and Necas for the creativity and offensive panache, but requiring Lehky for defensive support.

I would basically say Nate is a free agent and can play with anyone. But Mitts must have Lehky and one of JD or Necas. Their vision and playmaking from the wing just feel like something that could help Casey.

I'm not sure they end up doing it much, but I also think Necas would help Mitts at by being the main playmaker/puck carrier on the line, and almost force Mitts to play a more simple game. Even with Marty at RW.

I think this is one of the biggest reasons for Mitts struggles. He just refuses to simplify his game, even when he knows he's been struggling for a while.

Can't play a fancy, hope play, over passing, prone to turnover game though, if you don't have the puck. You're forced to adapt.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

For how good Marty's talent, and speed are, his best attribute is his vision. I don't think this is talked about enough. That bodes well for his ability to keep improving on this new team that fits him well.

The way he reads the play is really, really high level. Like maybe top 5 in the league good. And to maintain that kind of vision while playing at the highest speed in the league, is truly exceptional.

That's why he fit so well right off the bat with Nate. That was all Marty's doing. He's been the main reason that line has worked so well. Nate has changed up his style from the play driver who everything goes through, to mostly hiding out in the weeds letting Marty do his thing, and waiting for him to find him. And he has pretty much every time.

So MacK is becoming Rants 2.0

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Drouin and Mitts do seem to have a bit of chemistry, but Drouin has also become a bit of a Swiss army knife. We'll see more of that Drouin and Lehhky with Mitts once Nuke is back.

I hope so... because I really actually have a little hope left that Mitts can turn it around. Personally, I think it'll take another year or so to figure out what exactly he is as a player. But for the majority of his career he has never caused this much concern. And that in itself is reason to be concerned.

I happen to believe our coach is less than optimal for the players we have on the team. I'd rather try a new coach at this point rather than sink more assets into an eternal black hole because Bednar doesn't want to work with anything less than what Kadri was doing in 22.

Bednar doesn't have a plan other than top three and top 2 for 30 minutes. I don't no how many times he needs to go into the playoffs playing his top 5 30 minutes a night and seeing them worn out and ineffective before he tries something different. I honestly don't think he can here. It's going to take him getting fired and moving on to learn there is a difference between a once in lifetime roster being told to skate harder and faster than the other team and actual coaching.

 

[Foppa2118]

One of you is talking about today. The other is talking about two seasons ago.

Mikko was still on pace for his third 100+ point season before he was traded. He's dipped to 99 after a slow start with Carolina. Still much better than any season Duchene had though.

Mikko's became more of a shooter, while Nate has become more of a passer in recent years, but that didn't make passing skills like this go away.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I hope so... because I really actually have a little hope left that Mitts can turn it around. Personally, I think it'll take another year or so to figure out what exactly he is as a player. But for the majority of his career he has never caused this much concern. And that in itself is reason to be concerned.

I happen to believe our coach is less than optimal for the players we have on the team. I'd rather try a new coach at this point rather than sink more assets into an eternal black hole because Bednar doesn't want to work with anything less than what Kadri was doing in 22.

Bednar doesn't have a plan other than top three and top 2 for 30 minutes. I don't no how many times he needs to go into the playoffs playing his top 5 30 minutes a night and seeing them worn out and ineffective before he tries something different. I honestly don't think he can here. It's going to take him getting fired and moving on to learn there is a difference between a once in lifetime roster being told to skate harder and faster than the other team and actual coaching.

I don't think they're realistically moving on from Mitts unless Crosby calls. So I'm over it.

Hope he continues to chip away, and improve.

Fix the f***in defense though.

Mikko was still on pace for his third 100+ point season before he was traded. He's dipped to 99 after a slow start with Carolina. Still much better than any season Duchene had though.

Mikko's became more of a shooter, while Nate has become more of a passer in recent years, but that didn't make passing skills like this go away.

Nate had f***in 50 goals last year. He's just been a weirdo about his shot this year.

Of course Mikko is more of a shooter now that he barely moves his feet. Mikko is responsible for making this team painful to watch at times.

I'm rooting for him, but he brought it on himself, and got too comfortable.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

I don't think they're realistically moving on from Mitts unless Crosby calls. So I'm over it.

Hope he continues to chip away, and improve.

Fix the f***in defense though.



Nate had f***in 50 goals last year. He's just been a weirdo about his shot this year.

Of course Mikko is more of a shooter now that he barely moves his feet. Mikko is responsible for making this team painful to watch at times.

I'm rooting for him, but he brought it on himself, and got too comfortable.

Apparently they offered Mitts for Miller. Vancouver didn't like the offer as much as Rangers.

To be honest I think Vancouver never wanted to sell to us which was the biggest problem.

 

[Foppa2118]

Nate had f***in 50 goals last year. He's just been a weirdo about his shot this year.

Of course Mikko is more of a shooter now that he barely moves his feet. Mikko is responsible for making this team painful to watch at times.

I'm rooting for him, but he brought it on himself, and got too comfortable.

If Mikko's not still a good playmaker though, how is he on pace for 60 assists this year (65 before the trade) while Nate's goal pace is down to 29?

 

[CobraAcesS]

Apparently they offered Mitts for Miller. Vancouver didn't like the offer as much as Rangers.

To be honest I think Vancouver never wanted to sell to us which was the biggest problem.

I'm not that enamored with Miller personally. Hypocrisy is a death nail.

So while yes, I'd probably have made that move too. I'm not that upset it didn't happen.

Apparently they offered Mitts for Miller. Vancouver didn't like the offer as much as Rangers.

To be honest I think Vancouver never wanted to sell to us which was the biggest problem.

I'm not that enamored with Miller personally. Hypocrisy is a death nail.

So while yes, I'd probably have made that move too. I'm not that upset it didn't happen.

How is Mikko on pace for 60 assists this year though (65 before the trade) if he's leaching off Nate, who's goal pace is down to 29 this year?

Uh.. there is such a thing as primary and secondary assists. Makar just hit 20 goals, and so did Mack. Then you have Colton's hot streak. It isn't like he didn't have people potting it while he was around.

It was basically a meme as it pertains to Mikko picking up garbage points while playing like shit the whole game for the last two years.

Do nothing all game except pull the trigger, come away with a goal and two assists. That happened A LOT.

 

[Foppa2118]

Uh.. there is such a thing as primary and secondary assists. Makar just hit 20 goals, and so did Mack. Then you have Colton's hot streak. It isn't like he didn't have people potting it while he was around.

Mikko's tied for 6th in the NHL in primary assists this year though.

Also, sometimes secondary assists play a big part in goals.

Player Season Totals - Natural Stat Trick

 

[CobraAcesS]

Mikko's tied for 6th in the NHL in primary assists this year though.

Also, sometimes secondary assists play a big part in goals.

Player Season Totals - Natural Stat Trick

I'm not saying he isn't extremely talented. You need to remember at what level and at what margin the discussion is based on though.

He stopped being capable of driving offense on his own. That's on him.

I've watched most of the games in Carolina since the trade. You should try it, his floating around, and weak board play is glaring at times. It's no different than what he did here. He is trying though, I see more effort at times, but his shot isn't as laser accurate not being as rested.

He does shit like lose board battles, and changes as the puck is going the other way prior to getting scored on.

 

[Pokecheque]

If the Avs are going to solve the 2C problem, they gotta look elsewhere. Unless Mitts magically figures it out and/or heals up (if that’s part of the issue) then they will need to acquire someone. It’s not going to be Necas anymore than it was going to be Rantanen.

 

[Foppa2118]

If the Avs are going to solve the 2C problem, they gotta look elsewhere. Unless Mitts magically figures it out and/or heals up (if that’s part of the issue) then they will need to acquire someone. It’s not going to be Necas anymore than it was going to be Rantanen.

Yeah, they want to build around an elite winger playing with Nate most of the time. Nate wants that too I think.

If Necas doesn't play with Nate, I think he plays wing on the 2nd line, as opposed to making him bounce back and forth between center and wing. That's a recipe for disaster with such an important player.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Yeah, they want to build around an elite winger playing with Nate most of the time. Nate wants that too I think.

If Necas doesn't play with Nate, I think he plays wing on the 2nd line, as opposed to making him bounce back and forth between center and wing. That's a recipe for disaster with such an important player.

I hate admiting that the Detroit Red Wings have something I want... but holy hell I would love to have Larkin on his current contract as our 2C.

 

[Foppa2118]

I hate admiting that the Detroit Red Wings have something I want... but holy hell I would love to have Larkin on his current contract as our 2C.

Does seem like a potential target for the Avs. I believe they liked Larkin a lot in his draft year too iirc.

Mitts is a mid western guy too.

 

[The Merchant]

 

[avalanche_country]

Necas only two points behind Mikko now.

 

[Metallo]

Edit

 

[forsbergavs32]

Edit

No, you edit

 

[Richard88]

I'd like to see Necas as the 2C. Give him Nichushkin or a Landeskog-esque forward who's great in his zone. That allows you to find a trade for a winger instead of a 2C which would be much easier to do.

I used Bjorkstrand below as an example as I think he'd be a great stylistic fit for that line. Great forechecker with good skating to keep up with Necas, and offensively he's a RHS with a good shot which would mesh nicely at RW with Necas who's more of a playmaker than scorer. Could also target someone else though, that's just an example.

Drouin - MacKinnon - Lehkonen
Nichushkin - Necas - Bjorkstrand
Colton - Drury - Parssinen
Wood - Kelly - O'Connor
Kivi

 

[JoeSakic13]

Necas only two points behind Mikko now.