Johnson's isn't awful. Maybe a 1,25 mil overpay but Lucic's overpaid by like 4 mil so COL rejects this

Lucic isnt overpaid by 4. Id rather have Lucic for 4.3 than Johnson at 6 whos clogging up a roster spot for 2 young defense prospects

Cole does that more than Johnson

Yeah but Cole isnt making 6 million

But he is WAY worse than Johnson, the comparison of money per value favours Johnson, but if you want to save money than go with Cole

Cole is also only under contract for 1 more year. Johnson has 3 more years. He will be gone next year anyways

Then the blueline will look something like this

Toews-Makar
Girard-Timmins
Graves-Byram
Barron?

If it's next year don't forget one of them is getting picked by Seattle

The 2nd rounder doesn't do it for me. Johnson has been a huge leader on this team for the better part of this past decade, which I think is a pretty irreplaceable intangible. He is still decently defensively sound in a Top 4 role. He does have injury issues but that kinda does help present just the right amount of opportunity for up-and-comers.

I like his contract on the books as a placeholder for the MacKinnon raise. Most of that cap space will go to MacKinnon at the end of his contract haha.

I don't think this trade makes the Avs better and I don't think Johnson deserves to play on the Flames bottom 6 pairing nor should he push either one of Tanev or Andersson down to that spot.

I would assume that its either Girard or Graves. Whichever one they dont value more. Timmins and Byram will have automatic protection. I would assume that they protect Makar, Toews and one of Girard or Graves

Hearing Graves is the front runner to go to Seattle. But they can only protect two of Girard, Makar and Toews with Johnson's NMC.

They either trade him or make him waive

Lucic is the exact opposite of what Colorado is building/has built, whereas Johnson fits in well. I'd rather pay EJ more than he's worth than do the same for Lucic.

Imo, Johnson isn't blocking anyone, as Cole won't be re-signed and Graves likely ends up elsewhere next season. Also, Barron and Helleson are still a couple years away.

Keep in mind Lucic arguably also blocks good prospects like Newhook, Bowers, and Kaut.

You don't need to take back Lucic to dump Johnson. You could simply retain a little on Johnson and move him out. As someone who is a Oilers and Flames fan (yes we exist), I wouldn't want that contract even at 50% retained. He slows down whatever line you play him on, he isn't the team glue or leader people once thought he was, and his contract structure is the absolute worst (NMC and designed to be buyout proof). Trust me, you don't want lucic at anything over 1.5 million. I'd honestly rather have Matt Martin on my team at this point

I agree, Calvert plays bigger than his size and can skate, Bellemare plays physical and can skate and Nichushkin is adding some physicality to his game, can skate and still has some stick skill. So I don't see what roster spot you give Lucic that makes the Avs better. I am happy keeping EJ.

This just shows how little you this team. Girard is a lock to be protected even if EJ didn’t waive his NMC.

Lucic is very possibly the worst possible fit on an Avs team predicated on skating and transition in the NHL. I wouldn’t take Lucic or his contract for EJ under any conditions

How would Girard be protected?

Makar and Toews are way better. And Johnson not waiving would leave Girard as the odd man out

Makar gets protected. How do you figure Toews is better than Girard. Sakic sure doesn’t think so because he gave Girard a 7 yr $5M contract. You are utterly high if you think Girard isn’t protected. Regardless of your sobriety EJ waives and both get protected

Because Toews has been better than Girard ever since both their careers started... Toews was the best defenseman on the Islanders last year. Girard is an amazing puckmover and passer, but hes no Devon Toews whos a top 30 defenseman in the league

Another trade where Burnaby Joe laughs and hangs up! Truly shocking.

I see where you're coming from, but Girard is 4 years younger and contract for 3 years longer. I just can't see them protecting Toews over Girard unless he seriously outplays him this year. I guess we'll have to wait and see

And if that was actually the case the best GM in the league wouldn’t have give a contract for less money and term than Girard. On top of that Girard is 4 yrs younger but has played 105 more games, had more pts last year better shot share playing in a less conservative system. Sorry my friend but you are wrong.

1 Toews got a bridge deal
2 Points and "shot shares" mean nothing

Last year, Toews had a better xWAR, OFF, xOFF, xDEF, GF/60, xGF/60, CF/60, xGA/60 CA/60 and ixG

Its not really close. Toews leads him in pretty much every stat. Girard is still a good player, just not better than Toews

A 4 yr deal isn’t a bridge deal for a a soon to be 27 yr old. That’s just ridiculous, as ridiculous as your assertion that Sakic would protect Toews over Girard. It’s not really close? Go ahead then show the comparisons. Then also get around to explaining why a 5 yr younger player got a longer term higher dollar amount wouldn’t be protected by the same GM who not only gave both of them their contracts but acquired both. Bro you made a bad point own it and move on, because it is all academic because they are both going to be protected.

Sorry, I think I confused his contract with someone else's. But my point still stand. Toews is better than Girard .But yeah both should be protected as long as Johnson waives the NMC. Otherwise I can see Girard becoming Seattle's Shea Theodore

Bro you’re just wrong. If Johnson doesn’t waive he gets bought out so they can protect Toews. Seriously that you even don’t get the fact that guys that get 7yr deals that just started are core members of a franchise held in significantly higher regard than guys that get 4 yr deals just blows my mind. Good luck.