Quoting: NMAvsFan
Trade Graves ahead of the draft?
I don't think so. Avs are gonna lose a good player no matter what. Trade values are at an all time low before an expansion draft anyway since it wastes a protection slot for the buying team.
Imo there are 3 scenarios:
EJ waives:
Protect top 7 forwards + Makar, Girard, and Toews. Graves is taken by Seattle
EJ doesn't waive and Burakovsky outperforms Toews:
Protect top 7 forwards + Makar, Girard, EJ. Toews is taken by Seattle
EJ doesn't waive, and Toews outperforms Burakovsky:
Protect Mack, Landeskog, Rantanen, Kadri + Makar, Girard, EJ, Toews. Burakovsky is taken by Seattle
Or Sakic could make a side deal with Seattle and give them assets to take someone else, but I doubt it after everyone saw how that worked out for VGK