Jeremy Laura: Avalanche falls, Vegas knows how to fold ‘em - deals to be made?

it’s not worth speculating on either of jost or toews (no idea why the latter would have been spoken about by whomever you mentioned did before); avs are absolutely not moving toews and after this season jost will for sure be re-signed.

makar will get a 3-year bridge deal in the realm of $6.5mil, he’s definitely not going to sign the biggest contract of his life during a flat cap. makes most sense for both sides to do a bridge; makar proves to be a perennial norris candidate in the meantime, and avs have more room to work with the cap before mack’s extension in a few years.

landy will be re-signed for 5 years (maybe 6) for $7.75mil. no chance he makes what rantanen does. mack will eventually be the only one who’s number starts with “10” or more.

saad was great for us, but you’re correct that he may not want to take less than $5mil, he’s certainly still worth it. unless the avs shed major salary elsewhere, saad won’t be with us next season.

honestly, there’s almost nothing here for detroit imo. unless you guys want kadri and are willing to trade something significant back. i’m not a fan of him.

protect list (guaranteed):

mackinnon, rantanen, landeskog, makar, girard, toews; grubauer.

if erik johnson isn’t asked to waive his NMC, i think a lot of fans like myself will be pissed. he’ll have to be protected if he isn’t asked to waive or he refuses to.

most likely to be protected in addition to the above:

burakovsky, nishushkin, kadri, jost, donskoi. whether it’s one or two off this list depends on EJ.

it’s not worth speculating on either of jost or toews (no idea why the latter would have been spoken about by whomever you mentioned did before); avs are absolutely not moving toews and after this season jost will for sure be re-signed.

makar will get a 3-year bridge deal in the realm of $6.5mil, he’s definitely not going to sign the biggest contract of his life during a flat cap. makes most sense for both sides to do a bridge; makar proves to be a perennial norris candidate in the meantime, and avs have more room to work with the cap before mack’s extension in a few years.

landy will be re-signed for 5 years (maybe 6) for $7.75mil. no chance he makes what rantanen does. mack will eventually be the only one who’s number starts with “10” or more.

saad was great for us, but you’re correct that he may not want to take less than $5mil, he’s certainly still worth it. unless the avs shed major salary elsewhere, saad won’t be with us next season.

honestly, there’s almost nothing here for detroit imo. unless you guys want kadri and are willing to trade something significant back. i’m not a fan of him.
- avsgrinder

I can respect where you’re at. This whole series is based on Yzerman touching base with every team (per his conference). Toews for sure is worth keeping around. The only moves that would work are Sakic getting picks he’s missing and moving money out. It may come to nothing for Detroit. COL has been amazing keeping costs low. The next 2 years will increase dramatically just because the players needing to re sign are that good. At some point someone has to be moved for $ reasons. Joe is a master though. He makes amazing deals

protect list (guaranteed):

mackinnon, rantanen, landeskog, makar, girard, toews; grubauer.

if erik johnson isn’t asked to waive his NMC, i think a lot of fans like myself will be pissed. he’ll have to be protected if he isn’t asked to waive or he refuses to.

most likely to be protected in addition to the above:

burakovsky, nishushkin, kadri, jost, donskoi. whether it’s one or two off this list depends on EJ.
- avsgrinder

I think you’re right. Kadri should probably be moved too at some point

I think you’re right. Kadri should probably be moved too at some point
- Jeremy Laura

he’s just not a second line center that’s reliable enough. last season he had an amazing year and played as a true 2c, and he’s scored 30+ goals at least on one or two occasions back in the day with toronto before falling down their depth chart.

that said, he’s way too damn streaky for a reliable 2c. if the avs have one glaring weakness, it’s down the middle. mackinnon……and then…..kadri, jost, bellemare/JT Compher. jost proved himself this year, and he should remain our 3c (and he will for sure be resigned).

bellemare is gone, i believe his contract is up. he won’t be resigned. saad is out, for better or worse. i’d love to shed Erik Johnson’s $6mil for “i play maybe 50% of a given season, but usually less”. nemeth was a rental. soderberg was a rental (neither worked out AT ALL, which kinda begs the question “why bring back players you literally let walk?”. several other more minor contacts coming off the books. plus whoever we lose to seattle will clear up between $2.5 and $4.5 mil.

If Johnson doesn't waive, one of Girard, Toews or Graves (depending on which one of those 3 they decide to protect) could be picked in the expansion draft. Players that have NMCs rarely waive them for an expansion draft. Could always make a deal for one of those guys and if they don't want to make a deal then Yzerman could make a deal with Seattle to pick one and trade him to Detroit.

As for Kadri, i wouldn't want him on the Wings for free. Too much of a douche player. Hell i would rather suffer seeing Filppula or Nielsen center the 2nd line again than have Kadri on the Wings.

If Johnson doesn't waive, one of Girard, Toews or Graves (depending on which one of those 3 they decide to protect) could be picked in the expansion draft. Players that have NMCs rarely waive them for an expansion draft. Could always make a deal for one of those guys and if they don't want to make a deal then Yzerman could make a deal with Seattle to pick one and trade him to Detroit.

As for Kadri, i wouldn't want him on the Wings for free. Too much of a douche player. Hell i would rather suffer seeing Filppula or Nielsen center the 2nd line again than have Kadri on the Wings.
- dcz28

if johnson doesnt waive, then graves is exposed. there’s not even remotely a question about that. girard is on a ridiculously good contract and a staple of our d-corps. and we picked up toews, immediately signed him for four years, and it worked out better than anyone could’ve hoped (he is freaking amazing). 0% chance he isn’t protected.

i’m fine with losing graves, but if i’m seattle i wouldn’t bother. way too many other and better dmen available on other teams. if EJ doesnt waive or isnt asked to, only one of Burakovsky, Donskoi, Kadri, Jost, or Nishushkin can be protected. graves is fine, but i’d take any of those forwards over him in a heartbeat if i’m building a team from scratch.

if johnson doesnt waive, then graves is exposed. there’s not even remotely a question about that. girard is on a ridiculously good contract and a staple of our d-corps. and we picked up toews, immediately signed him for four years, and it worked out better than anyone could’ve hoped (he is freaking amazing). 0% chance he isn’t protected.

i’m fine with losing graves, but if i’m seattle i wouldn’t bother. way too many other and better dmen available on other teams. if EJ doesnt waive or isnt asked to, only one of Burakovsky, Donskoi, Kadri, Jost, or Nishushkin can be protected. graves is fine, but i’d take any of those forwards over him in a heartbeat if i’m building a team from scratch.
- avsgrinder

Avs can only protect 3 defensemen so if Johnson doesn't waive that would mean Makar, Johnson and one of Toews or Girard are protected so Graves and one of those two will also be left unprotected unless they go with 8F/D option which means they can only protect 4 forwards.

Like i said a team could make a deal with Seattle to pick someone for them like Dallas did with Vegas (Marc Methot from Sens when Phaneuf refused to waive his NMC). I'm sure there are teams that would want Graves and be willing to make a deal with Seattle to get him if the Avs won't trade him to them.

If i'm Seattle the only forwards i would be interested in is Burakovsky or Donskoi. If the Avs protect both those guys (leave Landeskog unprotected since he would just re-sign with the Avs as a UFA), then seeing what they could get to pick Graves might become their best play.

if johnson doesnt waive, then graves is exposed. there’s not even remotely a question about that. girard is on a ridiculously good contract and a staple of our d-corps. and we picked up toews, immediately signed him for four years, and it worked out better than anyone could’ve hoped (he is freaking amazing). 0% chance he isn’t protected.

i’m fine with losing graves, but if i’m seattle i wouldn’t bother. way too many other and better dmen available on other teams. if EJ doesnt waive or isnt asked to, only one of Burakovsky, Donskoi, Kadri, Jost, or Nishushkin can be protected. graves is fine, but i’d take any of those forwards over him in a heartbeat if i’m building a team from scratch.
- avsgrinder

Not even a remote question on Graves? As I've said...don't be surprised if Sakic opts for the 8 skater option. He's already smartly delayed signing Landeskog and Grubauer. So they don't need protection. So you go with this:

MacKinnon
Rantanen
Burakovsky
Makar
Girard
Toews
Graves
Johnson*
Francouz

If Johnson waives then you can protect one extra guy. That could be Kadri, Compher, Jost, Donskoi.

But I think the Avs will be fine losing one of those forwards allowing them to keep all of their d-men.

Not even a remote question on Graves? As I've said...don't be surprised if Sakic opts for the 8 skater option. He's already smartly delayed signing Landeskog and Grubauer. So they don't need protection. So you go with this:

MacKinnon
Rantanen
Burakovsky
Makar
Girard
Toews
Graves
Johnson*
Francouz

If Johnson waives then you can protect one extra guy. That could be Kadri, Compher, Jost, Donskoi.

But I think the Avs will be fine losing one of those forwards allowing them to keep all of their d-men.
- Kooleus

not sure that sakic is going to play games with landeskog, as in i believe he’ll get a new contract before the expansion draft. it would make way more sense to shake hands behind doors (“we’ll sign this paperwork on a new contract after seattle chooses”) but not confident that’ll happen.

if it does, for sure allows for way more flexibility

Not even a remote question on Graves? As I've said...don't be surprised if Sakic opts for the 8 skater option. He's already smartly delayed signing Landeskog and Grubauer. So they don't need protection. So you go with this:

MacKinnon
Rantanen
Burakovsky
Makar
Girard
Toews
Graves
Johnson*
Francouz

If Johnson waives then you can protect one extra guy. That could be Kadri, Compher, Jost, Donskoi.

But I think the Avs will be fine losing one of those forwards allowing them to keep all of their d-men.
- Kooleus

It would be for the best if Seattle took Graves. I tried to play a little game tonight, "will Graves turn the puck over on this shift," and if it had been a drinking game, I would be dead. Personally, I would still like to hang on to Donskoi or Jost if I had to add someone to that list and subtract Graves.

I think if Johnson doesn't waive it would put them in bad situation and if he really is committed to the franchise then he will do it. Why would Seattle take him? Honestly, I would be happy to move on from him as well so I can't imagine they would select him over Graves, who can probably be sold to some team based on what is thought to have been a breakout season last year.

protect list (guaranteed):

mackinnon, rantanen, landeskog, makar, girard, toews; grubauer.

if erik johnson isn’t asked to waive his NMC, i think a lot of fans like myself will be pissed. he’ll have to be protected if he isn’t asked to waive or he refuses to.

most likely to be protected in addition to the above:

burakovsky, nishushkin, kadri, jost, donskoi. whether it’s one or two off this list depends on EJ.
- avsgrinder

Pretty sure Makar is exempt

Saad's existing cap hit is $6M. Chicago retained $1M when he was traded last year.
He'll probably ask for at least $6M again, maybe even more due to his strong playoff performance. We'll see what he actually gets in this flat cap environment.

Pretty sure Makar is exempt
- jmatchett383

no, he’s not unfortunately. we burned that extra year by bringing him in for the calgary series.

Saad's existing cap hit is $6M. Chicago retained $1M when he was traded last year.
He'll probably ask for at least $6M again, maybe even more due to his strong playoff performance. We'll see what he actually gets in this flat cap environment.
- boilermaker100

Good catch. Saad is a nice add, it’s just that tough time for Colorado. As their studs get their career deals over the next few years, the 3.5 m to 6.5 m positions start to disappear. If they can shuttle Kadri/Johnson off it’d be nice to keep him. He can probably get paid, it just depends on what type of team he wants to play for. It’d be tough to resist staying with a contender if you can make it work. That environment has to be so much more fun/rewarding.

no, he’s not unfortunately. we burned that extra year by bringing him in for the calgary series.
- avsgrinder

Special player, that’s a tough price to pay but never a mistake to have him on the roster

Good catch. Saad is a nice add, it’s just that tough time for Colorado. As their studs get their career deals over the next few years, the 3.5 m to 6.5 m positions start to disappear. If they can shuttle Kadri/Johnson off it’d be nice to keep him. He can probably get paid, it just depends on what type of team he wants to play for. It’d be tough to resist staying with a contender if you can make it work. That environment has to be so much more fun/rewarding.
- Jeremy Laura

i’d be down with keeping him if we got EJ off the books. that $6 mil longterm deal is the one big misstep joe sakic took whilst constructing this team. to be fair though, johnson was worth it when he signed. due to total lack of being able to EVER stay healthy, contract looks awful now.

i hope we get rid of kadri too. his contract isn’t bad, but he’s not a true 2c. at least not the type i’d like to see on the avs.

Special player, that’s a tough price to pay but never a mistake to have him on the roster
- Jeremy Laura

honestly, let’s assume for a moment EJ isn’t being waived and/or refuses to waive. avs will absolutely have to go with the 8 skater option instead of 7/3. i’d really hope if EJ must be protected, sakic works out a handshake type deal with landeskog (agree to terms, wait to sign until seattle chooses). that way we’d minimize the hit of losing someone.

seattle will likely go for either graves (only dman that’ll be available from us, or i guess they could go for the super cheap option in macdonald), or whoever isn’t protected between jost, burakovsky, donskoi and nishushkin.

oh, also jeremy- since you’ve been keeping up with all this stuff, figured i’d mention there are quiet whispers in certain corners of the avalanche world (not fan armchair gm-ing, but at least one source close to the team) saying the dark horse for not being re-signed is Grubauer.

he gave up several extremely soft goals last night, which isn’t to say he likewise was the sole reason we won game 2, and even had a remote chance in games 3 or 4. but more to the point of why he may go elsewhere, the avs have never really dished out big money to goalies (not in the cap era), and they’ll have a lot of money tied up in mack, landy, rants, and makar.

i want to see grubauer back; he’s a great goalie- hell, he’s a veniza finalist. but whereas i didnt think it was possible he’d go elsewhere, it’s been pointed out he’s never had a chance at a big contract on a team of his choosing (avs traded for him, then signed short-ish term). so if he ends up asking for $6 or $7 mil, avs may need to look to other options.

based on the last decade-plus, i’d imagine joe picks up the phone and calls the capitals to see which of their goalies they’re gonna trade us this time, lol. (varlamov, then grubauer).

oh, also jeremy- since you’ve been keeping up with all this stuff, figured i’d mention there are quiet whispers in certain corners of the avalanche world (not fan armchair gm-ing, but at least one source close to the team) saying the dark horse for not being re-signed is Grubauer.

he gave up several extremely soft goals last night, which isn’t to say he likewise was the sole reason we won game 2, and even had a remote chance in games 3 or 4. but more to the point of why he may go elsewhere, the avs have never really dished out big money to goalies (not in the cap era), and they’ll have a lot of money tied up in mack, landy, rants, and makar.

i want to see grubauer back; he’s a great goalie- hell, he’s a veniza finalist. but whereas i didnt think it was possible he’d go elsewhere, it’s been pointed out he’s never had a chance at a big contract on a team of his choosing (avs traded for him, then signed short-ish term). so if he ends up asking for $6 or $7 mil, avs may need to look to other options.

based on the last decade-plus, i’d imagine joe picks up the phone and calls the capitals to see which of their goalies they’re gonna trade us this time, lol. (varlamov, then grubauer).
- avsgrinder

It feels like it could be a big summer for goalie movement. I was surprised Bernier wasn’t moved at the deadline. He would be a good tandem pickup. That’s hilarious on the caps. Barry Trotz will be lurking to grab them to Long Island once you guys are done.

oh, also jeremy- since you’ve been keeping up with all this stuff, figured i’d mention there are quiet whispers in certain corners of the avalanche world (not fan armchair gm-ing, but at least one source close to the team) saying the dark horse for not being re-signed is Grubauer.

he gave up several extremely soft goals last night, which isn’t to say he likewise was the sole reason we won game 2, and even had a remote chance in games 3 or 4. but more to the point of why he may go elsewhere, the avs have never really dished out big money to goalies (not in the cap era), and they’ll have a lot of money tied up in mack, landy, rants, and makar.

i want to see grubauer back; he’s a great goalie- hell, he’s a veniza finalist. but whereas i didnt think it was possible he’d go elsewhere, it’s been pointed out he’s never had a chance at a big contract on a team of his choosing (avs traded for him, then signed short-ish term). so if he ends up asking for $6 or $7 mil, avs may need to look to other options.

based on the last decade-plus, i’d imagine joe picks up the phone and calls the capitals to see which of their goalies they’re gonna trade us this time, lol. (varlamov, then grubauer).
- avsgrinder

Grubauer is fine but he probably didn't deserve a Vezina nom in my opinion and signing him for $6+ million would almost certainly be a mistake.

I have a very high opinion of Pavel Francouz but his age and injury status would make me extremely nervous. If he returns and goes back to being the player he was pre-injury the Avs should have no trouble in net. But that's a big if.

That said, you guys are so freaking good you'll still be a top contender even with mediocre goaltending.

As I read the comments, I. Cann't help but wonder, truly, what the relationship between Joe & The Captain is. And would they be willing to work something out? Surely there could be something between the 2 teams, but I still think any big moves would be predicated on the Expansion Draft & moves related to that. Once the draft is done, then I'd think deals between teams would take place.

Grubaur would ve an AWESOME get!!!