just give the Avalanche chris bigras because it worked for us last time
/s

Colorado doesn't do this. Either it's a really nice return or they keep Graves.

I think some of the trades proposed by Colorado fans have been overvaluing Graves but this isn't anything that the Avs would even consider.

I tend to agree, but he's a decent young d-man locked up for 3 years at a decent cap hit. Not many teams looking to shop such a player, so the Avs are in a position of strength in that regard.

They're also in no rush to trade him, so it'll have to be a decent offer.

This back and forth has been quite entertaining.

My predictions for the next 4 back and forths:

-Graves for Crosby 50% retained (From an Avs fan)
-Graves for Michael Matheson (From a Pens fan)
-Graves for Crosby 50% retained, plus a 1st (From an Avs fan)
-Graves for Maxime Legace (From a Pens fan...I mean, c'mon they're both PEI Rocket alums).

The Avs have zero need for an almost d prospect and what is essentially a 3x more expensive Tyson Jost. COL will gladly let Seattle take him and recoup cap space than do a deal that doesn’t help them.

Yeah, you're either getting a decent enough haul for him, or losing him to Seattle. IMO, you're better off keeping him, given that he's essentially a "Free rental", in a year that you're looking to contend.

I suppose there's a decent chance that the team tried to deal with Seattle so they can keep him as well.

I can see why you say this, but the fact of the matter is that Colorado wants depth on D more than mediocre picks and/or depth forwards. Either there is an offer they can't say no to or they keep him for this year (and for xdraft purposes)

Exactly. Though, if a team is going to pony up and give us upgrades over our current 3rd line guys? I'm game.

I doubt Joe gives up much to Seattle to keep him. Their top-4 is more or less locked up in Makar, Toews, Girard, and Byram. Then you're looking at EJ and Timmins/Gilbert/Pateryn on the third pairing. He's a luxury for us and I don't mind keeping him or trading him, but he has expansion fodder written all over him.

Yeah, I wouldn't go all Anaheim and trade my top D prospect to keep him or anything, I just think the idea of keeping a solid, cost controlled player is reasonably valuable.

Couldn't agree more. The only way I let him go is if we're getting a solid, cost-controlled player in return. A pure hockey trade or I'm not interested. Our third line has struggled to generate much offense this year, so unless that changes in the next two weeks, it'll be a focal point for the Avs moving forward.

I wouldn't trade Seattle anything to take Graves. Let them choose between Compher, Donskoi, and Graves, lose 1 player, and be done with it.

The first Graves trade I propose was purposely biased, because it was a counter proposal from a Pittsburgh fan offer, with the stated purpose of working towards a middle ground.

What would Rangers offer for Graves back?

I think we may not be on the same page...I had said that the Avs will likely have to offer something up if they want Seattle not to take Graves, but he's also redundant long term anyway.

I think we're on the same page here.

Jack Johnson and David Quinn

this ain't it.
A. COL has no leverage on a graves trade. None. He's gone come the Expansion. I think most people realize that. B. the team you are trying to trade him to will have the exact same issues. Dumo, Letang, and MP all protected...there goes Graves.
If he goes to the penguins, which he won't because there is no room for him here either ad Dumo, MP, POJ down the LD is just fine, it would be for some low to mid round pick.
You need to find a team that has a need for LD. It's not the penguins.