Thank you for making a team, I know how hard it is to do this and no matter what, some one will find fault with any team no matter how well it is put together.
It is possible that Skinner will want to move to Colorado, but let me remind you that he had a NTC and chose to go to Buffalo, I may be in error but IMHO I think only Buffalo, TML and OTT were in the running. So now that he is a free agent to go where he wants, I see no reason why he would not choose among those 3 teams again. Second, IMHO, he will sign for at least $7,000,000 and actually closer to $8,000,000 next year.

Hi GMTD. Hope you are well. I'm a Bills fan. Enough said.

I really didn't like the Sabres trading for Skinner. An out of the playoffs teams shouldn't be giving. up futures for upcoming. Now Sabres almost have to overpay to keep Skinner to justify the trade in the first place. Despite owning his rights, a team shouldn't be overpaying to retain it's UFA. It almost like a hometown premium. Is Skinner that good to justify 6.5m to 8m? I don't know. But it almost like the the Sabres have backed themselves into a corner and "forced" to sign him to make the trade to acquire look smart. We have scene this scenario before, including last summer when San Jose resigned Evander Kane.

$7,500,000 to $8,000,000 based on JVR and Kane is about the correct number.

I dont see the Avalanche resigning Nemeth at all. We have 3 young defenders ready to break with the team. I could see us trading a VET like Barrie / Johnson make space once they prove their worth. We need secondary scoring but I dont see us going after Skinner or Keller with 2 possible top 10 picks in the 2019 draft.

I could see us going after a premier UFA like Panarin. A complete winger. Could theoretically take Landeskog's place since his contract would be up in 2 years at that time. And we could sell "high" on him. In the 2019 draft we could be adding 2 top 10 picks (i am still in the minority that thinks Colorado misses the playoffs and we all know about Ottawas issues)

2019 we could be adding: Makar, Timmins, Kaut, Shvyryov (sleeper), Kamenev (if he doesnt make the team this year), Bowers

Then you factor in one of: Hughes, Cozens, Podkolzin, Kakko, Dach all who could make the jump immediately.


You are getting yourself in trouble with the expansion draft by getting more people we would have to protect in Keller and Skinner and resigning Nemeth. I do think Barrie or Johnson will be traded for futures so we only have to protect 3 Dmen (Girard, Zadarov, Johnson or Barrie) ITs why I think Cole was given a 3 year deal so he could be left exposed

True - he clearly wanted to go to Buffalo for a reason. IMO he went there because of: 1) Eichel/Mittelstadt on the rise. 2)Have a great year and sign +6,5 mil. contract long term. 3) IF he isn't re-signed, he can pick any team - and based upon this season choose his destination. I don't know, but things are getting pretty interesting in Buffalo.

But I can clearly see what you mean. I'm really excited to see how Buffalo are going to this year. They really bolstered their lineup but paid a price as well. Interesting! Thanks for you comment, very well reasoned.

Nemeth was +26 last year and I strongly believe that he can be even better - and you have to have solid defensive guys as well to play along great offensive players. But you already know that!

I believe trading Landeskog would be horrible. The guy has been captain for years now and is somewhat one of the guys from when the Avs started to rebuild. Plus, he's a gritty powerforward who, I wouldn't say skills, but the guy puts up points and make room for other people. but I get where you headed with this and I understand you.

I totally agree with you about Panarin - I'm really rooting for Sakic to go big on this one, because then things are going to get scary. I strongly believe as you wrote, that trading Barrie/Johnson would be ideal, if the kids (Timmins, Makar, Meloche) are paning out great. Only time can tell.

Thanks for you comment!