You're probably not too far off. Hopefully they stay quiet and keep building through the draft. Nylander worth a shot - if anything, make the Leafs overpay and be in cap trouble.

NO benefit in giving up 4 draft picks with 3 being in the 2019 draft class that is considered strong. If we were guaranteed to make the playoffs maybe. but we are bubble team and need many things to go right to make the playoffs. We still dont have a functional 2nd line that actually scared opponents. Probably one of the worst 2nd lines in the league. If Macks line doesnt repeat last year, Varly doesnt miss 2 months, EJ doesnt find himself on the IR like usual then maybe we make as the 8th seed once again.

If they want Nylander which would be a good fit as he cant actually win faceoffs, play center or winger. I would offer up EJ and get rid of his horrible contract as with 5 years left and already 30.. More and more injuries are going to pop up for him. He is our acting #1 Defender but is more like a #3. with Barrie under contract for 2 more years the kids (Timmins and Makar) will have next year to shine to see what direction they want to take with him.

You are absolutely right, the Avs are a bubble team and we have no solid second line. Sadly, I think the Avs will fall short of the playoffs this year also. Realistically, they should have a 1-10 pick with OTT and an 11-20 pick (COL). I think this year is going to be finding out which of the rookies are going to work out. Compher will replace Soda at some point centering that shutdown line. While Kerfoot I hope stays that 2-3rd line winger that will put up 40-50pts. I don't know about Jost yet though. He has had his moments but so for he is not that 2C we need and hope he can be. Kam needs to play more to find out what we got.

I really liked the first D line of Big Z and Barrie towards the end while EJ was down. But, the Avs can only protect 3 D from Seattle. If they resign Barrie, which I hope they do, EJ will have to get moved, cause Z and Girard are not going anywhere. Z is turning out to be that big body replacement for EJ, leading the league in hits. Not a big point producer, but nether is EJ, not their job (which to answer last post is why I do think he will get 5-6mill). I think an EJ - Nylander trade would be good for both teams. They have pt producing D and need a top line shut down D and we need to fill that second line for the long term. Proposed that idea already and had it explained how wrong I was by both sides... I still think Im ( and you are) right.