2C options that make some sense for the avs
PLD - If the Avs are on his list of teams he would be willing to sign an extension for, you have to consider it. His age and skill make him a great fit for the spot, the only real question would be the cap hit. Would it be worth losing Toews for a 2C with term? Cost to acquire him could also be one of the higher ones on this list.
Mctavish - An interesting option I saw on twitter. With Fantilli coming in and Zegras established as your 1C, Ducks may be willing to part ways with Mctavish for the right price. The price for him would be a young player on the same level as him that fills a more pressing need for the Ducks. Think a Byram type player here. With the high cost here, is this something that would be worth exploring?
Wennberg - I thought about this one and wasn't sure the Kraken would be willing, and then saw u/BluesTheGreats propose some trades for him that I liked, so I figured I would throw him on. The proposed trade piece from the Avs side was Girard which makes I think would make sense for the Kraken and the Avs. Clears some cap space for a Toews extension on the Avs side and gives the Kraken a top 4 defenseman. Downside is Wennberg only has a year left on his contract.
Bennet - Not sure if Florida would be willing to move him, but I think he would be a good fit as the Avs 2C. Price going back would have to be a roster piece, which can be difficult for the Avs as they do not have a ton of valuable roster pieces without NTC or NMC that they would be willing to move. I feel the list on the Avs side currently boils down to Newhook (maybe), Toews (if he doesn't want to sign an extension), and Girard. The only one I can really see the Avs being okay parting ways with is Girard and I do not know what value he would hold to the Panthers.
ROR - Probably the only viable 2C that you would not have to trade for but he comes with his own slew of problems for the Avs. First, would he even be willing to sign with the Avs. After the Avs traded him out several years ago, he may not even consider the Avs as a team to sign to. Second, what would his price be. With how week the UFA market is this year, I think there will be quite a bit of competition over him, and that will shoot his price up. Finally, his age. I do not know how much of a concern this is, but he is getting to an age where the tail end of a longer contract would put him up there in years for an NHL player.
Newhook - Newhook needs to find some second line success in my opinion, otherwise I believe he has higher value as a trade piece. Whether he plays left wing or center is the bigger question. If we can't find a better 2C that fits the team, I'd say go for Newy, otherwise throw him at left wing and consider trading him if/when Landy returns.
I personally do not like the fits of Hayes, Kuznetzov, or Schieffle. For the right price they may be viable, but I just think there are better options.
I have opted to go for a commitment to Newhook here. Tried to pair with solid players on either side to help him. Barabanov on an expiring contract so if Landy returns next year, great otherwise we can always try to resign him. 3rd line is probably the weakest here. Like Malgin and like Meyers and want to give them a shot. I like keeping Cogliango, Ellers, and OC together as that makes quite the tough line to play against. If we can get Kovalenko here after the KHL season ends he can slot in as well.
Have a bit of cap left to work with to either use at the deadlilne or fix my underpayments now.
I guess it depends on who was still on the board after SJS picked at 26. If there was someone the Hawks wanted badly that they think would not still be there 8 picks later then they agree to that.