Sustained Success

Contracts are hard to determine but i'm sure they will all be around those prices with those years. I agree with you where namestikov is an upgrade over nieto and it would seem like a waste to let him walk but i think he's gonna want to play more minutes, and on other teams he can do that. Nieto has kind of accepted his role and a 4th liner and knows where he will play. Also kaut has proven he can play in the nhl and most likely will be on the team next season so that's another spot you have to make room for.

With kaut in the roster you're looking at losing namestikov or nishkuchin, possibly trading jost and/or defenseman with timmins ready and byram having a wasted year in whl

I do agree with what you're saying in terms of Namestnikov wanting to play more minutes and another team will surely outbid this contract for more playing time, this is just my ideal roster in my personal opinion. Nieto for sure is making the most of his opportunity in Colorado and it will be interesting to see if he's re-signed. I don't dislike him by any means.
Kaut certainly showed he belongs, but was thinking another year of refinement would do him and the team well.

Nichushkin is for sure getting another year, he's been real good.

I don't know why everyone is on the trade Jost wagon. He and Compher have very comparable numbers, games played and points and Compher got himself that nice deal. Why isn't it safe to forsee Jost getting the same? I understand, based on his draft status more is "expected" of him but I think he's staying.

I also don't think Timmins is ready, otherwise I think he'd be the 1st defense call-up right now.

As for Byram, why not let him continue to dominate and develop his leadership qualities before making the jump? There's no sense in giving players away in trades for the sake of bringing a kid up to play minimal minutes.

They won’t sign Smirnov, Kamenev or Weiss. Can’t sign Kovalenko until next year. Alt won’t get an NHL contract. They won’t sign both Barberio or Connauton if either. I don’t think they’ll sign Namestikov because of Bowers and Kaut. Huge over pays on Jost and Graves, they are RFA’s with no leverage. And Byram is going to be on the Avs next year period, another year in juniors has no upside whatsoever he is ready for the NHL. IMO one of Z or Graves is gone to make space for him probably Z. Burkovsky’s contract is probably a little low considering what he is already making.