First off, this is assuming Landy is back to start the year next year. Obviously, if he isn't, it changes everything. Literally.
The Avs cap crunch is real, and it is no secret something has to give. Looking over the options, simply see Colton being the least evasive to the line up. Lehkonen is an option, but moving a legit top 6 forward with a game like his? Tough. Sets things back. Girard? Sure. You could, but being only 25 and has been solid for the Avs in his tenure, replacing him is, well, about $5 million. Wood? I totally would, but it doesn't move the financial needle enough. So, we are back to Colton. Tough.
Signings:
Mittlestadt: you don't move Byram without committing long term. It is that simple. Given his track record in the league, and his last couole seasons the number was tough to gauge. Settled in at $6.25 million with term for a couole reasons. 1. He has never topped 70 points. 2. The Avs are a left contender. 3. If he is wanting $7 million+, that is money Buffalo had..... and if the Sabres weren't willing, it gives us an idea of what his market value is.
Stenlund: just a gritty and effective 4th liner. Contract very manageable. Underrated imo.
De Haan: a no frills vet D that can contribute positively on the bottom pair. Again, contract friendly.
Jones: I bring him back as the #7 D. Only 26, I still think there is something there. Can push De Haan or Malinski (what you want). Could go with another vet here, but I think that depends on where Behrens is in his development..... and if he signs.
Robertson: well, I made the move, so I sign him lol. See more opportunity for him in Colorado, as Bednar uses his bench more. Cap friendly, young, and along with Kovalenko (think think he makes the cut) could make for an interesting 3rd line.
Side Notes
1. Provestov or Annunen: pick one. One makes it one doesn't. The cap space isn't there to do anything differently.
2. Kovalenko: yes, I think he makes the team. Has been great in the KHL, and if it wasn't for an injury, may have seen time with the Avs now. That was the plan from.what I understand. And if that was the plan, it is reasonable to think the plan is he is thee in 2024-25.
Overall:
Moving Colton is a tough decision, but in terms of cap management and icing a contender, I simply don't see another option. Where I am most certain a number of Avs fans will trash the deal I proposed, the overall line up, in my opinion, keeps the Avs in the Cup conversation - which any move made needs to be the result.
1. Cap relief. Essentially getting two very viable NHL forwards for the cap hitnif one. Let's sarts there.
2. Kämpf: an excellent defensive forward signed for the next 3 years. Has some offensive skill, but admittedly a small step back from Colton - 25-30 potential (twice) points vs 40. Great on the PK. Above 50% with faceoffs.
3. Robertson: yeah, quite polarizing amongst the CF crowd. But, tracking for around 40 points with sheltered minutes. Quick with compete in his game. Has had injury issues, but has remained healthy this season. Young, contract control. Extension given his sheltered minutes more than affordable. Solid top 9 forward with top 6 potential..... that has always been there.
Avs fans may not like this, Ihave read numerous threads where Colton isn't the guy they move.
$4 million for a 3C is pricey..... and the Avs are up against it. Many may see a deal for "spare parts". Don't see it that way at all. Both players are very serviceable, with their own skill sets. A sum is greater than the parts deal. Fills holes for the Avs without taking too much from the lineup.
Honestly, given the Avs options, this Colton maybe the least evasive option.
I see a reasonably priced 2C, which moves JT to the wing. Creates centre depth. Adds and element of real grit to the position that is currently lacking. A 200 foot game, improving overall team defense. Solid with faceoffs.
Generally a 35-40 point player, can see an opportunity for more playing with Nylander and JT. The garbage guy in front of the net. A player with a clear cut defined role on that unit, no confusion on what that is.
There are UFA options..... but I feel that will be more in cap hit and term. Yes, Leafs give uo viable assets for what is a slight upgrade, but I see it being much easier managing cap.
Love it as a Leafs fan and props to you for providing some thoughtful reasoning. Having said that, it seems like Colorado committed heavily to Colton and won't sell him for pennies on the dollar
I don't necessarily disagree with trading Colton and I don't think your logic here is bad but I hope they'd look for something a little better than this or they'd just make space by trading him then try to sign someone in UFA they believe could do the job for a year or two. Colton (who is definitely not a 2C or the Avs would have solved that problem without trading Bo) may seem "expensive" but the going rate for 3C's is about $4M; Detroit is paying two 3C's over $5M, LOL.
I don’t know that I love the trade. If cmac made this trade I would trust that the scouts saw something and felt that there was room for improvement. I just don’t know that kampf is someone that I would target.
I’d also like to keep one of the deadline acquisitions if possible.
Annunan would be my backup.
I don't necessarily disagree with trading Colton and I don't think your logic here is bad but I hope they'd look for something a little better than this or they'd just make space by trading him then try to sign someone in UFA they believe could do the job for a year or two. Colton (who is definitely not a 2C or the Avs would have solved that problem without trading Bo) may seem "expensive" but the going rate for 3C's is about $4M; Detroit is paying two 3C's over $5M, LOL.
Oh not disagreeing.
Of anyone that could be moved, I just think Colton would be the path of least resistance.
Can the Avs do better than what I proposed? Maybe. But I gotta think 31 GMs no that the Avs are in one helluva spot here, which may or may not dictate a return.
I appreciate recognizing my logic behind the deal, and I really do stand by it. Whether it is the Leafs or another organization, I think whoever is dealt, the return in going to by for a couple players pretty much equally the cap hit going out. Otherwise, I am not sure the Avs solve the issue.
I don’t know that I love the trade. If cmac made this trade I would trust that the scouts saw something and felt that there was room for improvement. I just don’t know that kampf is someone that I would target.
I’d also like to keep one of the deadline acquisitions if possible.
Annunan would be my backup.
I don't think there is a deal that any Avs fan is going to love to be honest.
But, pragmatically, what the deal does is spreads out the $4 million of Colton between two quite serviceable players. Now, maybe Kämpf isn't the guy you would want to target. Get it. But, what he does do is full a roll and fills it well enough that the Avs really don't take a massive step back. Which is why I included him. (As a Leafs fan, honestly, I would rather keep him). What I think we can safely say is a deal is coming; and I would think the return would look something along the lines of a 2 for 1.
As for the deadline acquisitions..... yes. I would tend to agree. Of them, Trenin is the one I would target over Stunlund. That is going to depend on both hiw many teams would be in on him and his demands. The Avs just don't have a lot of wiggle room.
Love it as a Leafs fan and props to you for providing some thoughtful reasoning. Having said that, it seems like Colorado committed heavily to Colton and won't sell him for pennies on the dollar
Again, I will not disagree. But as I have said, 31 GMs know the position the Avs are in. Pennies on the dollar (which I am not sure I would go that far with this deal) maybe a reality. Taking slightly less to free up space to ice a solid team is very much likely the move made.
The conundrum which I have again eluded to here is this:
Lehkonen: let's say the Avs move him. Who replaces him? Plays a 200 foot game. 60 points. One of the better defensive forwards in the NHL. Plays PK. That is a player that if moved is major surgery imo. Takes far too much away from the lineup, especially for that cap hit.
Nikushkin: some injury issues over the last few years, but runs at about a PPG pace when in the ice. A legit top 6 forward. Moving him I guess could be done, but replacing the offense will prove difficult. Two $3 million players may spread some things out, but I don't think they replce the production. And again, that contract is great given what he does.
Manson: a popular target. Vet stay at home D with physical edge. Has looked rejuvenated as an Av. A rather obvious target for a few teams. But the return would leave a hole in the top 4. And replacing Manson, for what he does is about a $4 million price tag. End result: in the same place.
Leaves Colton. And where your point in 100% valid, I also think moving him is also the most pragmatic thing the Avs can do. Replacing his defensive game can be done. Or replacing his 40 points can be done. When comparing what it would take to replace the other candidates, I just think in the holistic approach, it takes significantly more work.
Do you see another move like this, because you are still so crunched against the cap, like say a Manson, Lehkonen, etc. I also think those players are more likely to get moved than a center in Colton
Do you see another move like this, because you are still so crunched against the cap, like say a Manson, Lehkonen, etc. I also think those players are more likely to get moved than a center in Colton
I have explained extensively throughout the thread why I think it is Colton. Coles notes version: simply a path of least resistance in terms of filling out the roster.
As for other moves..... that is a 2025-26 problem. What I suggest is that in the right here and now, neither Behrens (some say otherwise) or Ritchie are ready. It allows Kovalenko a year to acclimate to the NHL game, where by all accounts he will be a top 6 forward.
Allowing a year of development will help gauge where they are at and dictate what comes next. And there will be a next. 2025-26 maybe even worse.
And Cole is going to be a $2-3 million signing. I don't think it frees up enough. And that is working from.the assumption Behrens is in fact..... ready.
It's maybe a way to go, but gutsy as all hell.
The Devils eneded up dressing something similar in terms of 2 rookies (Hughes and Nemec)..... they are going to miss the dance. And where yes.... Makar is Makar, and Georgiev is light years better than Vanacek, the point is it becomes a major step back imo.
I have explained extensively throughout the thread why I think it is Colton. Coles notes version: simply a path of least resistance in terms of filling out the roster.
As for other moves..... that is a 2025-26 problem. What I suggest is that in the right here and now, neither Behrens (some say otherwise) or Ritchie are ready. It allows Kovalenko a year to acclimate to the NHL game, where by all accounts he will be a top 6 forward.
Allowing a year of development will help gauge where they are at and dictate what comes next. And there will be a next. 2025-26 maybe even worse.
Hahaha that was like a response id get from one of my professors, but thanks
I don't disagree with your reasoning on the leafs perspective of the Colton trade but if we really wanted a guy who is in the 40 point range to take over for JT we already have him, I think domi would be our go to for that promotion as he is similar in a few ways to Colton but we would be able to resign him and keep the assets or move them for a blue line piece (which is what we really need) but that being said I thought it was a well thought out proposal with great reasoning.
I don't disagree with your reasoning on the leafs perspective of the Colton trade but if we really wanted a guy who is in the 40 point range to take over for JT we already have him, I think domi would be our go to for that promotion as he is similar in a few ways to Colton but we would be able to resign him and keep the assets or move them for a blue line piece (which is what we really need) but that being said I thought it was a well thought out proposal with great reasoning.
The Colton acquisition is more than the offensive production. His defensive game is beyind significantly better than Domi's. Why Av fans, as you can see, are quite reluctant to move him.
Further, where you are not wrong that the Leafs blueline need improvement (working on that ACGM that will include this deal), team defense as a whole needs improvement. So where I get moving Kämpf seems counter productive to that thought, replacing Kämpf isn't as difficult. Colton simply plays a well rounded game. Domi is offense, piss and vinegar. Kämpf is defense piss and vinegar. Colton is all that.
The UFA market at almost every forward position is razor thin - where a player like Colton is gonna cost. There are those- like Domi as you say that can produce offense, but that simply isn't the Leafs issue, and why I would say from the Leafs perspective it makes sense. Finding a defensive replacement for Kämpf is there.... and for less money to boot.
I am just putting it out there for Leaf fans: fixing the defensive issues isn't about adding 2 gritty D. No. It is about addressing the lack of a team defensive concept..... something Colton absolutely brings to the table.
I think you're probably right that Colton is the most obvious guy to sacrifice at this point. Kampf, however, is a decent but overpaid 4C imo. Stenlund, as you have him here, would be a great pick up imo and is at about the right money. I'd say the idea is right but the targets are wrong. Also think Annunen has shown enough for the back up job.
I think you're probably right that Colton is the most obvious guy to sacrifice at this point. Kampf, however, is a decent but overpaid 4C imo. Stenlund, as you have him here, would be a great pick up imo and is at about the right money. I'd say the idea is right but the targets are wrong. Also think Annunen has shown enough for the back up job.
1. Annunen seems to be the consensus.
2. Could be the targets are wrong. Would have to play with a few teams to make a counter arguement. There maybe a better fit. A fair comment for sure. What I will say for Kämpf is I think he is more than a 4C, but not about to argue he is totally a 3C. Is there such a thing as a 3.5C? Be what he is.
3. Stunlund is very much over looked. 4th liners are. He isn't pretty, but he is awefully effective.
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