The Sad Trade That Needs to Happen

he wont be playing hockey games for the colorado avalanche

;(

unless he just wants to hang out in Denver and be handsome as an assistant coach on the bench

The only way I can maybe see it is if the deal is akin to a straight salary dump (i.e. the Avs give up just a late pick and also receive a sweetener). Even then it's a long shot, and it would be unlikely that Hank gets to play often (if at all).

Maybe we can get creative though. Off the cuff, Zadorov or Graves and a pick for Hank (max retained) and Buchnevich. Avs get a good winger and Rags get space to sign Strome, Deangelo, etc. Probably doesn't work but it's the only thing that even kinda makes sense to me.

that is the only scenario, they are weaponizing their cap space to get a 2nd line young winger. And I think that still is to buy Hank out, carries a 5.5m cap hit this season and 1.5m next year
The retain 50% (4.25m) and cap hit for buyout are the decently close (1.25m) so I think Rangers would just buy him out if it came down to that