If EJ is healthy enough to play on Az's 2nd pair, then the Avs best shut down Dman is healthy enough to play on thier 2nd pair. This is stupid. And, why would they pay Az to do this?

Does Ej even playing in COL's top 4? Looks like they have a lot of talent on the left side, makes me think one would move over to the right side and Ej gets bumped down a spot. So that notion that because he would play on ARZ's top 4 (who are rebuilding) is kind of silly.

COL has 3 of their top 6 forwards (Nichushkin may play on the third line, I dunno) up for new contracts next year, without a significant amount of money coming off the books. I'd be surprised if they let them all walk for nothing.

Usually if you want a team to take some of your salary so you can make other moves, you have to pay them. In this case, a 2nd round pick to take $6M off the books seems like a decent deal to me.

EJ is not a problem for the avs, he is not negative value...stop pretending that he is some sort of anchor contract that the avs have to pay to get rid of

Hes a good player still.

Remember this is a year in the future and he has been slowly declining already (not stating he's a bad hockey player at this point) and is coming off a season where he missed most due to injuries. At his age I think it's quite plausible that in 12 months the avs will be looking at something like this. But if he is still the guy he was for the last few years (ie doesn't decline further) then no. He either won't be traded or at worst will be traded without paying for it

hes a leader on the Avs and he has trade protection. Hes not going anywhere and important to that core.

Duncan Keith, who was flat out awful, one of the worst Dmen last season with full trade protection got positive assets in return. Lets stop pretending that teams have to pay high picks to get rid of guys.

EJ contract runs in exactly when Mack’, Bowen Byram Alex newhook no need to move him, especially when a second is involved.

Respectfully I know other fans of the Avs freak out and try to move him without understanding

Such an easy no for COL. See above Bradshaw and cogs hit the major points.