Quoting: ZiggyPalffy
They'd have to retain 50 for sure. Can you tell me more about Kaut?
Sure. I'll start by making a stylistic comparable to give you an idea: Jakob Silfverberg.
Kaut is a rugged RW who plays a very "NHL" game. Physical along the boards, two-way, and has a good wrist shot. He had a great WJC on a line with Necas, also playing the bumper position on the PP where he scored a couple of nice goals.
Since being drafted his progression has been a bit of a slow burn, but that isn't to say that he has stalled. He's the type of player who elevates his play with talented guys around him, as he doesn't play an individualistic style but rather one that involves using his teammates a lot. For that reason he didn't put up as many points as expected in the AHL, since the AHL is very individualistic with everyone wanting to get called up to the big leagues; that didn't help him. The vast majority of his points are primary points.
Kaut got 9 games last season in his callup and looked like he belonged in the NHL, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist. Sakic is counting on him to compete for a roster spot this season. He's in the 1st year of his ELC which makes his contract extremely valuable given that he'll likely be in our bottom 6 with some frequency this season.
He got called up for our last game but only got 5:50 in TOI after Bednar shortened the bench as we were chasing the game. It also didn't help that he took a lazy neutral zone penalty which is rather uncharacteristic of him either.
With all that said, I think you'll find that Avs fans would be willing to move him in the right deal, but given that he's our only high end winger prospect with 3 years of an ELC it would have to be the right deal. We'd MUCH rather use our collection of picks and B prospects to make a deal instead.