not an avs fan but i feel like the difference between toews and slavin is small enough that it's not worth breaking up a pair that you know works.

Canes wouldn’t trade Slavin period. Toews isn’t good enough to warrant moving Slavin.

I love Devon Toews, I think he is incredible. He's not in the same stratosphere as Slavin. Slavin is the better fit for that role.

Agreed, why restart a process when chemistry between Toews and Makar is so perfectly synced. I believe Toews has a better offensive upside than Slavin at over a million lower in cap hit. Not a shot at him, he's an outstanding defenseman and if the Canes win a cup, he'll be a big reason why.

I believe Byram has a higher ceiling than Dobson. Byram also has a strong and growing physical game which I haven't watched Dobson enough to know if he possesses that as well. Again, he has chemistry with the team and he's our homegrown talent. Plus I doubt we add an RHD with Makar and Manson locked in for the top 2 RHD positions.

This is cool.
I am higher on Byram than Dobson but I really wanted Dobson to fall a little farther in his draft.
Toews has better offensive ability but, I think Slavin is probably the top shut down dman in the league.
I am a homer but I would take the skill set of Toews over Slavin. What that next deal looks like could change things.

Can't we just swap Girard plus for Slavin and have Toews and Slavin? A guy can dream right?

Byram might have the higher ceiling (barely), but with his injuries there's no guarantees he gets there. Dobson is already an elite top pair RHD. Dobson isn't overly physical , he's more of an Alex pietrangelo style of defenseman.

That's a shame given his size

not at all, his skillset allows him to be an elite defenseman without needing to be overly physical. He's one of the best defenseman in the league at winning puck battles in the defensive zone leading to a zone exit.

I see. Well in that case, it doesn't look like it does either team any favors. No good Avs having an elite RHD getting less minutes than he would on NYI. I agree Byram's injuries are pretty worrisome. It'd be a shame if he didn't hit that ceiling but also would still be a great dman if he doesn't and likely cheaper lol.

That next Toews deal could be a 9miller, 7-8mil hands down.

A Slavin - Dobson pairing would be nasty. As a sidenote haha.

I'm calling it now, Byram and Toews sign matching 6.5x6 deals and the Avs keep the wagon rolling.. or maybe its me thats been rolling something.. a guy can dream

The biggest difference between Slavin and Toews is the impact of their chemistry. Slavin makes whoever he plays with play better. That was seen with Faulk, Hamilton, TDA, Bear, and now Burns. Toews has been on the beneficiary end of being propped up by his partner. Not taking a shot at Toews, because he is an amazing dman, but he has definitely benefitted from playing with Makar. Toews has a more proven offensive side, but people don’t realize that Slavin is actually quite good offensively. He just doesn’t get as much star light because he has always had to cover up his partner’s deficiencies, which was very evident with Hamilton. I would argue a better comparable for Toews would actually be Pesce or Skjei.

Makar benefits from playing with Toews more than the other way around. Toews is 2 or 3 tiers above Pesce and Skjei.

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I can definitely see Byram getting that due to the slowed progression from injuries. Toews would have to be a really, REALLY good guy to take that. At least would have to be an 8 year, front-loaded, buyout-proof contract with an NMC and free ice cream for life. Even then, someone could offer him that at 7 or 8 especially when the cap shoots up.

Byrams next contract will be cheap which should allow the Avs to re-sign Toews. Dobson will get 8-9 mill per which means they couldn't re-sign Toews.

Toews is getting an 8 year deal, probably in the 7 mill range. No chance he accepts 6.5 x 6

I'd be relieved if it stayed in the 7 mil range, even if it's Robo money. His contract ends right at that first big projected cap hit upshoot so on the open market, I could see him getting Heiskanen - Pietrangelo money. Why did I pick those two comparisons, took me a bit with ie's there.

Heiskanen was an RFA, pietrangelo has a longer track record of being an elite #1. I think 7.5 mill x 8 is what it will be , Toews will be 31 in the first year of his new deal. Weegar just got 6.5 mill x 8 and he's a similar defenseman to toews

I can see the Avs trying for something like a 3 year bridge for the same money as Manson for Byram. If I'm correct in my belief he'd be RFA still at the end of it but it would be a 'prove it' contract, more in regards to staying healthy both mentally and physically. Then he moves up to a big money deal as Manson's contract expires (basically Manson's money becomes a 'banker' in a similar fashion to how EJ's has been for MacKinnon's new deal). With Toews it all depends on when the cap goes up and by how much. If it goes up 4 mil next year depending on what happens with the escrow shenanigans then the Avs should be ok. If it's less then it gets trickier. I'd be happy with pretty much anything less than 8 x 8.

No chance Isles do that.

I think that is a dangerous game to play with Byram, but it really works out well like you mention. I would rather give him a 6/7/8 year deal and have it be a cheaper deal in a few years than having to pay him market rate in a few years. If a bridge happens, GMCM would need to make sure its a 3 year to make it end in the summer of 2026. If you can help it, you don't want to be signing Byram the same time you have to spend double digits on Rants(2025) and Makar(2027). Not sure 4.5 from Manson will cover it like EJ's deal covers Macks.

Sure, I can see the point in giving him the longer term but even an 8 year puts him on a substantial last deal as he'd be under 30. Part of why I'd rather bridge for 3 and then sign for 8. There's always the danger of course, offer sheets and so on but I think 3 years at 4.5 and then 8 at 9 is pretty reasonable. A lot depends on how good he gets. Again part of the gamble.

For sure, I'm not so worried about the amount he would get if he came off his 2nd deal around 29y/o. It's more of making sure we get some cheaper years during the first few of Rants and Makar's 3rd deals. I don't think an offersheet is a big worry for Byram.