GDT: Game 9: Columbus @ Colorado, 9 PM EST

[koteka]

Gavrikov is not just "a left-sider", he projects as the best shutdown defender on the team. Also he seems like an important leader on the team, I don't think the club will have any shortage of money to pay him a $5m x 5, perhaps a bit less.

I have always wanted to see the Werenski-Peeke pairing. I don't see Peeke becoming a real top pair caliber guy but he might just be the best stay-at-home complement to Werenski.

I really like Gavrikov. I just think we could be on a path where we end up with too much money invested in left defensemen. We have Zach at a cap hit of $9.6 million starting next year. If we give Gav $5 million (your number and probably the minimum he would sign here for given he makes $4.2 million next year in actual salary) and give Bean at least $4 million on a long term deal (his salary at the end of the contract is $2.9 million), then we are almost $20 million on the left side. That is too much. Werenski, Bean, and a cheaper youngster might be better in 4-5 years if we expect to be a good team and want to add a free agent or rental to chase a cup.

I think we need to find a couple of young Gavrikov / Savard defensive types to balance out our offensive defensemen and play with leads, kill penalties, etc. I don’t know who we trade at the deadline this year, but a 21 to 23 year old defensive defenseman who is developing well would be the kind of return I would be looking for.

Edited because I forgot to say I agree with this as the team is currently constructed: “I don't see Peeke becoming a real top pair caliber guy but he might just be the best stay-at-home complement to Werenski.”

 

[tunnelvision]

I really like Gavrikov. I just think we could be on a path where we end up with too much money invested in left defensemen. We have Zach at a cap hit of $9.6 million starting next year. If we give Gav $5 million (your number and probably the minimum he would sign here for given he makes $4.2 million next year in actual salary) and give Bean at least $4 million on a long term deal (his salary at the end of the contract is $2.9 million), then we are almost $20 million on the left side. That is too much. Werenski, Bean, and a cheaper youngster might be better in 4-5 years if we expect to be a good team and want to add a free agent or rental to chase a cup.

I think we need to find a couple of young Gavrikov / Savard defensive types to balance out our offensive defensemen and play with leads, kill penalties, etc. I don’t know who we trade at the deadline this year, but a 21 to 23 year old defensive defenseman who is developing well would be the kind of return I would be looking for.

I think it can be easier to find a replacement for Bean than for Gavrikov.

 

[VT]

I think it can be easier to find a replacement for Bean than for Gavrikov.

Bean is young, this is his first full season. So it`s too soon to make some decisions.

 

[majormajor]

I really like Gavrikov. I just think we could be on a path where we end up with too much money invested in left defensemen. We have Zach at a cap hit of $9.6 million starting next year. If we give Gav $5 million (your number and probably the minimum he would sign here for given he makes $4.2 million next year in actual salary) and give Bean at least $4 million on a long term deal (his salary at the end of the contract is $2.9 million), then we are almost $20 million on the left side. That is too much. Werenski, Bean, and a cheaper youngster might be better in 4-5 years if we expect to be a good team and want to add a free agent or rental to chase a cup.

I think we need to find a couple of young Gavrikov / Savard defensive types to balance out our offensive defensemen and play with leads, kill penalties, etc. I don’t know who we trade at the deadline this year, but a 21 to 23 year old defensive defenseman who is developing well would be the kind of return I would be looking for.

I don't think about cap hits that way. You can say that because we have the quality of Werenski at LD that maybe we can afford to skimp at the rest of the position*. But Werenski's cap hit is a sunk cost (that is not a negative thing, it just means that the money is already out the door regardless of whatever other decisions you make). Werenski's cap hit doesn't factor into the decisions about other LD anymore than it would factor in to the decisions at RW.

*And I wouldn't say that either. Gavrikov would be very hard to replace. What he does is super valuable. Jake Bean is an able RD as well so I wouldn't think he and Gavrikov are fighting over one spot, even if Bean could play Gavrikov's particular shutdown role, which he can not.

Also you do realize we already have a super young very green D-core? There is a cost to that and I really wouldn't mind if we let our D mature and not roll them over into even younger D. Gavrikov is 25 and that is actually perfect for us in my opinion.

 

[koteka]

Also you do realize we already have a super young very green D-core? There is a cost to that and I really wouldn't mind if we let our D mature and not roll them over into even younger D. Gavrikov is 25 and that is actually perfect for us in my opinion.

I agree with that Gavrikov is prefect for us now, and maybe for the next 3 years. But Gavrikov’s birthday is in a couple of weeks. So his next contract basically starts with his 28 year old season. Don’t know if I want to go 5 x $5 million with him, and I bet he’ll be seeking more from us or he’ll try free agency. I am afraid we will get in the situation where we give too good of a contract for someone who has been a good soldier for us and regret it after a couple of years. So I figure letting Jarmo work his trade magic might be the best option in the long run.

I know how green the defense is. I wanted to add a veteran right D in the off-season because of how green we are.

 

[tunnelvision]

I am afraid we will get in the situation where we give too good of a contract for someone who has been a good soldier for us and regret it after a couple of years.

I share your concern here. Jarmo has a history of giving too much dollars and term for too many slow skating, hard working stone hands who for their part have prevented the team to grow into a more skilled puck possession team that is actually able to compete for SC.

 

[majormajor]

I share your concern here. Jarmo has a history of giving too much dollars and term for too many slow skating, hard working stone hands who for their part have prevented the team to grow into a more skilled puck possession team that is actually able to compete for SC.

I'm not seeing how any of that has to do with Gavrikov. He's got speed when he needs it. And you can't say he doesn't fit this group: 5 assists and a team leading +9.

Also if you want to talk about competing for the cup, we just traded our slowest D and worst passer to a certain team for their cup run. And Gavrikov is a lot better than that guy.

 

[tunnelvision]

I'm not seeing how any of that has to do with Gavrikov. He's got speed when he needs it. And you can't say he doesn't fit this group: 5 assists and a team leading +9.

Also if you want to talk about competing for the cup, we just traded our slowest D and worst passer to a certain team for their cup run. And Gavrikov is a lot better than that guy.

I have nothing against having 1 or 2 Gavrikovs/Jenners on the team. Real problems start to pile up when there's 5-7 skill-wise limited players who are all past their prime and under a long term contract with 5M+ cap hit. I'm a fan of Gavy and I hope he wants to stay here beyond 2023, but it's hard to predict his career trajectory given his constraints with speed.

 

[majormajor]

I have nothing against having 1 or 2 Gavrikovs/Jenners on the team. Real problems start to pile up when there's 5-7 skill-wise limited players who are all past their prime and under a long term contract with 5M+ cap hit. I'm a fan of Gavy and I hope he wants to stay here beyond 2023, but it's hard to predict his career trajectory given his constraints with speed.

He isn't slow.