Kadri is a legit 2C with good production and good analytics at 4.5 for the next 2 years. We can have a whole rhetoric battle about how he gets suspended in the playoffs but he has value - even to the Avs - and it's extremely unlikely the Avs would give him up for nothing. As just one example, think of the moves Nashville has made trying to get a 2C. They will ask Johnson to waive and he is extremely likely to do so. The Avs will likely lose one of Compher/Donskoi/Graves in the draft.
- FoppaForever

I think the rise of Jost may have them thinking he could replace Kadri. And LOC looks like he could be more of a full time fixture too once healthy. But Maybe not. I'm not against keeping Kadri but the team is getting younger and Jost should still be a cheaper/younger option if they feel he earned it.

Avs will likey protect:

MacKinnon
Rantanen
Burakovsky
Makar
Girard
Toews
Graves
Johnson*
Francouz

Landeskog and Graubauer delay their extensions until after the draft. So you expose guys like Kadri, Donskoi, Compher.

If Johnson waives, then Kadri probably takes his spot.

It's actually not a horrible position assuming they delay signing Landeskog and Grubauer. Which is yet another reason why this is a non-story...
- Kooleus

I Like this. Sounds good to me!

Avs will likey protect:

MacKinnon
Rantanen
Burakovsky
Makar
Girard
Toews
Graves
Johnson*
Francouz

Landeskog and Graubauer delay their extensions until after the draft. So you expose guys like Kadri, Donskoi, Compher.

If Johnson waives, then Kadri probably takes his spot.

It's actually not a horrible position assuming they delay signing Landeskog and Grubauer. Which is yet another reason why this is a non-story...
- Kooleus

The Avs will likely protect

MacKinnon
Rantanen
Landeskog
Kadri
Burakovsky
Nichushkin
Jost

Makar
Toews
Girard

Grubauer

Joe Sakic does not appear to me to be the kind of guy who rolls the dice on a team selecting a player and offering him a huge overpay to be a young team's cornerstone. I do not believe he'll play games with Landeskog or Grubi. I'm assuming Johnson will waive and I believe Seattle will have better options than Francouz. The players above are the ones they truly value. Trust me when I include Jost and Nichushkin on that list. I don't think they can afford to re-sign Saad, I wish it were otherwise. Perhaps - perhaps, they make a deal with Kadri before the draft but I kind of doubt that.

Nah. Kadri/Donskoi/Burakovsky/Landy or some combo of players will get an off-season surgery of some kind and magically come back healthy for the playoffs. Done.
- TurdFergeson

Oh... the TB method ...

I think the rise of Jost may have them thinking he could replace Kadri. And LOC looks like he could be more of a full time fixture too once healthy. But Maybe not. I'm not against keeping Kadri but the team is getting younger and Jost should still be a cheaper/younger option if they feel he earned it.
- SYMENUK21

I'm a huge believer in Jost and have defended him for several years but he's not ready to take over 2C and neither is Newhook. One of them absolutely will be in two years when Kadri's contract is up, maybe even the summer before. That has been the plan since the day they traded for Kadri and it's still a good one. Joe Sakic is a pretty level headed guy and is not likely to freak out over this suspension. I agree with you that they got really lucky with LOC and he'll probably be a solid 4th liner for several years.

In a couple years they look like:

Landeskog MacKinnon Rantanen
Ranta Newhook Burakovsky
Nichushkin Jost Kaut
O'Connor Bowers Foudy

Byram Makar
Toews Girard
Barron Timmins

Grubauer
Annunen

That looks like a Cup contender to me.

Pretty sure Kadri will be at 2C on opening night next season though.

Joe Sakic should be named GM of the decade for the way he has built this team. He's made extremely measured and savvy trades, draft picks, FA signings and waiver wire signings along the way and stuck with a very good and underrated head coach.

Jones wants to play in Colorado above anywhere else? Did he tell you that over lunch? He was pretty damn pissed about the Avs passing over him at the draft and stated that he wanted to make them regret it. I don't know, maybe he changed his mind, but why would Sakic even waste assets to acquire him? He's a right shot which is something they definitely need but he's going to look to be overpaid next summer. Byram will be an every nighter next year and Barron will be following him not long after.

And why rush a contract on Grubauer now when they have more important issues to worry about? They are up 2-0 on Vegas and if they do advance, does anyone here really believe Winnipeg or Montreal can/will stop them? No. I wouldn't be surprised if both Landy and Grubi sign after the expansion draft unless Sakic plans on paying the Kraken to take someone he is OK with losing, or (in a fantasy scenario) convincing EJ to waive. No Av fan is sweating this.

The Avs will likely protect

MacKinnon
Rantanen
Landeskog
Kadri
Burakovsky
Nichushkin
Jost

Makar
Toews
Girard

Grubauer

Joe Sakic does not appear to me to be the kind of guy who rolls the dice on a team selecting a player and offering him a huge overpay to be a young team's cornerstone. I do not believe he'll play games with Landeskog or Grubi. I'm assuming Johnson will waive and I believe Seattle will have better options than Francouz. The players above are the ones they truly value. Trust me when I include Jost and Nichushkin on that list. I don't think they can afford to re-sign Saad, I wish it were otherwise. Perhaps - perhaps, they make a deal with Kadri before the draft but I kind of doubt that.
- FoppaForever

So by your list, you feel it's safe to assume that Johnson waives his NMC, leaving him exposed and COlorado free to protect an extra D man? I thought right now the fear was that Colorado may have TWO members of their envious young D-core exposed to be nabbed by Seattle.

Does Sakic trade one of them so as not to lose them for nothing? Or does he deal an asset or 2 to Seattle for them to select a player they're happier to part wiht??

Sign Landeskog for 6mil, Grubauer 5, Makar 8.

Trade Compher + Newhook/Kaut + Graves/Timmins + 1st for Jones

EJ LTIR

it could be done.
- AdamFrench

The Avs don't need Jones and they'd be foolish to do a deal like this right now. Newhook is the second line center two years from now when Kadri is gone, Graves is a likely pick by Seattle, and Kaut/Timmons should be retained also.

If Colorado goes 7 to 8 years ? That’s a mistake for any club today to go more then 4 on any player. Look at all the upside down contracts on long term.
- Tee56

Yes, especially for a goalie who will be 30 this year.

Jones would be nice but we don't need him, and already have enough high priced contracts we need to give out in the next couple years.

Also, and probably most importantly, he said he want's to test the free agent market. So I wouldn't trade a bunch of valuable assets for him. At the deadline as a rental, a 1st and a prospect, sure, but if he really wants to play here, we can just sign him in the offseason when he is a UFA.

So by your list, you feel it's safe to assume that Johnson waives his NMC, leaving him exposed and COlorado free to protect an extra D man? I thought right now the fear was that Colorado may have TWO members of their envious young D-core exposed to be nabbed by Seattle.

Does Sakic trade one of them so as not to lose them for nothing? Or does he deal an asset or 2 to Seattle for them to select a player they're happier to part wiht??
- Quillanrocks

Yes, I believe Johnson will be asked to waive and will waive and I believe it's highly likely Seattle will have many, many better options than a 33 year old, oft injured player with 2 years left at 6M. I'm pretty sure Sakic and Johnson believe this as well.

I hope the Avs don't try to get cute trading anything and simply realize they are going to lose a good asset no matter what they do and call it a day. Likely one of Donskoi/Compher/Graves/MacDonald all of whom are survivable. I realize that Graves is currently a second pairing D but that role is destined to evaporate soon in the wake of Byram/Timmins/Barron/Helleson. Don't be part of "I can't believe the Avs gave up (blah, blah, blah) to keep (blah)" in a couple years. Don't play that game.

Jones would be nice but we don't need him, and already have enough high priced contracts we need to give out in the next couple years.

Also, and probably most importantly, he said he want's to test the free agent market. So I wouldn't trade a bunch of valuable assets for him. At the deadline as a rental, a 1st and a prospect, sure, but if he really wants to play here, we can just sign him in the offseason when he is a UFA.
- geoff_182

The Avs signing Jones would be eerily analogous to Toronto signing Tavares. Dedicating a huge slice of cap to bring "home" an elite player for the down slope of his career at a position where there is no need. I think it was a huge mistake for Toronto (they were third in the NHL in offense the year before they signed Tavares to an untradeable contract screwing up their entire salary structure). As much as I've always felt Jones "should" be playing in Colorado it would probably be a mistake there also.

Could Edmonton be the one to fear if Grubauer makes it to UFA? They went hard after Markstrom last offseason but just came up short. Could Hart winner and fellow countryman, Leon Draisiaitl, have some pull, I wonder??? Oilers have the $$ this off-season, depending on which players they decide (and/or are able) to bring back, but as much as I'm sure Holland meant what he said about re-signing Smith, I'm not convinced he isn't thinking of grandpa Smith as a solid backup.

If Grubauer is offered say 6.5 x 5, will Colorado top that or let him walk??

Yes, I believe Johnson will be asked to waive and will waive and I believe it's highly likely Seattle will have many, many better options than a 33 year old, oft injured player with 2 years left at 6M. I'm pretty sure Sakic and Johnson believe this as well.

I hope the Avs don't try to get cute trading anything and simply realize they are going to lose a good asset no matter what they do and call it a day. Likely one of Donskoi/Compher/Graves/MacDonald all of whom are survivable. I realize that Graves is currently a second pairing D but that role is destined to evaporate soon in the wake of Byram/Timmins/Barron/Helleson. Don't be part of "I can't believe the Avs gave up (blah, blah, blah) to keep (blah)" in a couple years. Don't play that game.
- FoppaForever

I like it. Had that same discussion with others pertaining the Jets recently. I don't mind a certain player or pick being moved if it gets the job done with Seattle decision makers, but there has to be a line. I figure if you'd be hesitant to pay a certain price to acquire a certain player (on your team), then why are you paying that price just to hold on to him? . . . Lose 3 even 4 assets instead of just one!

Could Edmonton be the one to fear if Grubauer makes it to UFA? They went hard after Markstrom last offseason but just came up short. Could Hart winner and fellow countryman, Leon Draisiaitl, have some pull, I wonder??? Oilers have the $$ this off-season, depending on which players they decide (and/or are able) to bring back, but as much as I'm sure Holland meant what he said about re-signing Smith, I'm not convinced he isn't thinking of grandpa Smith as a solid backup.

If Grubauer is offered say 6.5 x 5, will Colorado top that or let him walk??
- Quillanrocks

6.5 x 5 is the limit I would go, and the way this season is going it might not be enough. Can Edmonton even afford more than that too? They already are working on a budget for their remaining roster beyond the regular season heroes in McDavid and Draisaitl.

I'd rather keep the money and pay Landy, Makar, and don't forget MacK has a contract coming up in a few years than tie up a fortune in money for a goalie.

Colorado has to pick Landeskog or Grubauer to win now. Other goalies are to be had, but losing a captain will be the death to denver

You'll have to pay extra for that. One of either a conditional 4th round pick or Makar.
- eichiefs9

Two 2nd round picks for Toews.

I guess the Penguins are going to be tied to every goalie rumor now.
- Rinosaur

They can have Martin Jones

6.5 x 5 is the limit I would go, and the way this season is going it might not be enough. Can Edmonton even afford more than that too? They already are working on a budget for their remaining roster beyond the regular season heroes in McDavid and Draisaitl.

I'd rather keep the money and pay Landy, Makar, and don't forget MacK has a contract coming up in a few years than tie up a fortune in money for a goalie.
- ddMoose

Edmonton has north of 22 million in cap space, more depending on LTIR and how creative they can be with 3 or 4 albatross contracts. They also have some interesting decisions to make as to who to bring back, but yes, they could feasibly pursue Grubauer and pay him more than fairly. I only brought it up cuz they were in huge on Markstrom last year at similar numbers and close to zero cap space.

Look if you're on that team and the option to make $2M less per year (in the States where other things offset to some degree) vs some doormat team, you take less money and maybe win 2-3 Cups.

As for other moves, the Avs are so good right now any large spend will only create incremental improvement that won't mean much. In fact, like TOR did with JT, all they can really do is hurt their cap situation. Any move not moving the needle significantly to win a Cup is pointless.

I guess you forgot Varlamov make 5 mill per year, may as well keep a younger Grubauer. I think the Isles might go with the same tandem for another year but I hope they trade Varly and let Ilya play 65 games.

Edmonton has north of 22 million in cap space, more depending on LTIR and how creative they can be with 3 or 4 albatross contracts. They also have some interesting decisions to make as to who to bring back, but yes, they could feasibly pursue Grubauer and pay him more than fairly. I only brought it up cuz they were in huge on Markstrom last year at similar numbers and close to zero cap space.
- Quillanrocks

I can see the Oilers interested in Grubauer and also pursuing a trade for Varlamov. If the Isles want to save about 4 million in cap they could trade Varly and have a low paid back up for Sorokin.

I can see the Oilers interested in Grubauer and also pursuing a trade for Varlamov. If the Isles want to save about 4 million in cap they could trade Varly and have a low paid back up for Sorokin.
- joegreif17

I don't see Varlamov being the guy, but hey . . .

Personally, over both Grubauer and Varlamov I would like to see the Oilers try to sign Ullmark out of Buffalo for a reasonable short-term deal. (2.5 to 4 million over 2 to 3 years . . . TOPS) He played well for a very poor Buffalo team, and if platooned with Smith next season he wouldn't need to be pushed into full #1 role right away.

I only suggested Grubauer cuz the Oilers went big game hunting last off-season. Grubauer's max for games played in a season is 40 (this year), so it's disconcerting to commit big dollars and term without knowing if he can handle 15-20 more starts.