Not overwhelming but also nothing really bad about it. I think it might be smart to try and reinforce that 3RD spot (and still the back up G to worry about too) rather than having JJ on a regular basis there. 3rd for Kovacevic and a 4th plus Prosvetov for Kahkonen, something along those lines might work. Tbh those two concern me more than Olofsson at 4C. Might have to waive someone or dump MacDermid (the Avs won't do the latter we know but I certainly would).

I could see Seattle going for that; still would be surprised to see the Avs trade a 1st but it does address 2C for next year better than RyJo. Agree with @TJTwolf that getting someone like Kahkonen would be a good move.

I think what I like about this is that, while Gourde isn't exactly a 2C, it would give the Avs two very good 3rd lines that would be hard to play against and could score, loosening things up for the top line.

Exactly and if the wings are Nichushkin and Lehkonen you can get away with a non true 2C.

Well, they didn't get away with it with JTC but they don't exactly have a ton of options

He didn't do great in Round 1 as the 2C, but the rest of the depth is really where the team was let down. 1 assist combined from the bottom 6, and that was just a Newhook faceoff win to Makar who walked into a clapper