Landeskog sings the Blues

Team: 2021-22 Colorado Avalanche

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 16, 2021

Published: Jul. 16, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

What if GL goes to STL? His agent seems to be working through a STL reporter when COL is notoriously quiet with the press - might this signal a real disconnect in not just numbers but feelings & future perceptions? COL feeling leadership needs a shake-up to make it out of round 2 and unwilling to prioritize GL over others, and GL not willing to accept that placement in a hierarchy and wanting to paid for his loyalty? The acquisition of Maltsev from NJD who has surprisingly excellent shot creation & forechecking #'s seems like COL's analytically driven decision-making in the driver's seat, and with aging curves/play style + the Erik Johnson year seven contract experience .... COL may not be willing to give its captain the financial prioritization he feels is his due.

Am not advocating for the Seth Jones trade - or any of these moves, they're thought experiments - (and this contradicts the previous supposition that analytical decision-making is driving the bus, tho Jones' private numbers are allegedly much better than his public ones) but if SJ wants to go to UFA, can see COL as one of the few teams who are willing to pay out for a one year rental. Trade value is based off of that presumption and modeled off of the Erik Karlsson trade. Regardless COL needs someone good, experienced, strong + mobile on the right as EJ insurance. Team should also prob load manage EJ and Kuemper (w/Timmins & Francouz/Johansson) during the regular season.

Makar's contract justification - think COL is trying to use the GL negotiations to set a team cap structure, so Makar making Rantanen money fits that, and term sets him up for a next contract after the cap rises in ~5 yrs.

Doubtful that NYI will let Cizikas truly hit the market, even tho capped out - but if he does, a fair contract + going to a contender may have him willing to go west. Regardless, COL needs to lock down the 4C spot if they're going with less experience on the wings.

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