This confirmed what I Just said, that once they take care of their own they are right at the ceiling, its tight but not impossible

If Avs move a Donskoi, it does 2 things....cap relief while still brining some talent ot the NHL roster, a 2nd round pick doesnt do anything bc all they woudl do is go into UFA and spend 3m on a middle 6 fwd to replace them

and the guy they most likely move is Compher if not selected in the XD, Donskoi would need a decent return that helps the NHL roster as well for them to consider moving him. And in Buffalos case, probably would be Bjork they would need to get to make a deal work

I am over the cap here and filled half the roster with ahl guys. What happens if the free agents get more? Who says donskoi's replacement costs 3 million?

avs go a 22 man roster, with the eagles 45 mins away they dont do a 23 man roster, easy for call ups. And to call the avs nhl ready prospects AHL guys is disingenuous.

Any middle 6 fwd in UFA is 3m, that is just the standard rate. Donskoi production is similar to Tatar, Coleman, Grandlund, Saad. Are any of those guys singing for less than 3.9m? are Foligno Palmeri Danault who Donskoi is out producing going to sign for less than 4m?

Those are conservative market value contracts for those players, the same can be said, what if they take less bc its a flat cap era.

donskoi might be selected in the expansion draft.

the best thing for the avs to do is clear out two of donski, graves, and compher. preferably the last two if possible.

regardless of what Gary said a few months back, I think the cap will increase for the 22/23 season.
i don't think there is much of a concern with the Avs roster, tight but completely doable.

Exactly, its not a tampa bay mountain to climb of how to make the cap work. A few 100k here and there on some contracts, maybe a smart hockey trade of taking a 3.5m salary and getting a guy for 750k less. And they dont hurt their roster and a little more room to breath

Also no one knwos what Erik Johnsons and Francouz health will be next year either, for all we know there could be plays to move on from them or LTIR as no one knows how hurt they really are. Avs never give injury details and injured players are not allowed to talk to the media

Makar's not getting 8.5 under a tight cap. He gets whatever bridge Sakic offers him when Landeskog and Grubauer are signed.

those guys largely werent signed during a global economic crisis that froze the salary cap for multiple years.

If you toggle back to my sabres team, i offered a 2nd for donskoi and coga acted as if i had committed a murder

So you are saying all those guys will sign less than donskoi.....ok if thats your view, then there is no point of continuing this debate, bc that just isnt going to happen

I think you could find a comparable player for less than 3.9 million (and you got a 2nd round pick). You could play a prospect like newhook or kaut up the line up and then sign a cheaper bottom 6 player, you could trade for a player, you could do a lot of things. but in your current scenario, your best case is promoting a ton of youth and league minimum contracts and then having this dance every year.


all to keep jonas donskoi

also, dont forget all the bonus overage you will accrue being so close to the cap with bonus eligible ELC players. screws you when you need space for mackinnon too.

Excellent post. Probably the most realistic numbers I've seen. Even with the farm team close, I can't imagine them carrying less than 2 in the press box. You also need some cash for injuries. Need to find a couple million in there somewhere. Agree with people suggesting they'll have to find a way to trade a middle 6 forward... or leave one unprotected for the expansion draft. It's the only way to make the numbers work.

If the Avs win the cup this year, there's no way all the free agents take a hometown discount. But at least they'd have a cup.

I could see a RHS winger-for-LHS winger happening this offseason. Bednar recently mentioned that he moved Compher back to C to get a LHS at LW so they're facing the right way, so handedness seems to be a consideration for him. And right now the Avs have a few too many RHS bottom 6 forwards, including Donskoi, Compher, Kaut, and O'Connor. Moving one of Donskoi or Compher for a LHS (like Bjork who you mentioned) could make some sense. Alternatively just have Seattle take Donskoi. Judging by Bednar's recent comments about Kaut he might be made available in a trade this offseason too.

thats all my point was. If they moved Donskoi out, its a hockey trade to balance the line up and get a bit of cap breathing room. Same as the OP other roster showing Avs trading Nuke to the Sabres for a 3rd. They wouldnt trade guys for draft picks when they the rest of the league is there to deal with and do a hockey deal with. If they move a RW in Donskoi for a LW guy, then they have a spot for Kaut on the 3rd line and dont have to shoe horn him in somewhere.

NO issues moving Donskoi out for a player. Justnot selling guys off bc of "fear of losing someone for free"