Kaut could make sense for both teams I think

I do really like BOG though, but he may be forced out

Kaut's style of play would be a great fit in Anaheim as they play a slower more heavy style than Colorado who play at a frantic pace off the rush which isn't really Kaut's natural game.

Groulx being waiver exempt and a C would be huge for the Avs.

Maybe Verbeek would try to wait and see if Kaut ends up on waivers, but it could still be worth trading for him if they think Arizona or someone ahead of them would claim him. Note that one of Arizona's head scouts Alan Hepple was the AVS head of amateur scouting when Kaut was drafted, so there's a high probability that they take him on waivers if he's there (just as they insisted on Timmins in the Kuemper deal too, another Hepple pick).

Kind of depends on what we do with Lundestrom, as BOG would be his natural replacement. If Lundy wants to stay in Ana as a 3C, then I would do Kaut for BOG.

Why would Lundestrom not want to stay in Anaheim? And why would it matter anyways given that he's signed for another 2 years and still an RFA with multiple team-controlled years beyond that? Seems like it's more Anaheim's decision than his.

He has the tools and skill to be a 2C somewhere in the league, but it most likely won't be Anaheim being stuck behind Zegras and McTavish. Given that with BOG, he is somewhat replaceable internally, he is probably our most valuable young player that we would be willing to move in a trade for someone we REALLY want at a position of need.

I haven't heard any rumors that he may want out or anything like that, but trying to read the tea leaves in our system, we are stacked down the middle and in net, we probably have enough options at LD and LW, we are light at RW, and we are critically short at RD.

I could see Lundy being moved as part of a package that has a great, young NHL ready RD coming back the other way, possibly this coming off season.

Long term Gaucher would be the one replacing Lundy, not BOG.
Zegras - McTavish - Gaucher - Lundestrom long term outlook
Strome, Rico, Carrick in the short term

Kaut could see some time at RW4 for us this year and may be able to become a 3rd liner

Lundestrom doesnt have the tools to be a 2C at all imo, hes a good future 3C but I dont think he becomes more than that for a good team

I really see no reason why Anaheim would trade a waiver exempt player in Groulx for either non-waiver exempt player from the Avs.

Groulx lines up as the future 4C in the place of Grant / Carrick, with some upside to hit a bit of a higher ceiling. Tagging him as a 3C is overrating him IMO.

Goucher is more likely to push Lundestrom off the roster than Groulx is.

Maybe they see Kaut making their roster and having a higher impact than Groulx long term. Which he probably would on both counts.

Yeah, and that's probably a few years off yet. In that case, I see no sense in not swapping BOG for Kaut, especially with Gawdin also fighting for that 4C spot.

Groulx doesn't need to make the roster, in fact he's already in San Diego. Being waivers exempt and all.

The idea of do the Ducks want Kaut is completely separate from Groulx's status because Kaut isn't bumping him off the roster. Kaut would need to be a better option than Regenda or Gawdin or Carrick (who is injured now but will be back eventually). He also has to be better than any other forward Anaheim might target in waiver claims or trades.

Kaut might be a guy they like and I wouldn't mind him on the Ducks. The simple fact is though he doesn't move the needle on the team to warrant trading an asset for him. They already have guys they signed as UFA's and they can make a waiver claim to add more depth.

That's fair. Thanks for your response.