Horvat to Colorado with an extension doesnt work

Then you include Newhook in the Horvat trade which has been mentioned countless times. Just because you don't want to give up Newhook in an ideal fashion doesnt mean it doesnt make sense. Canucks also arent trading Horvat to the Avs for little to nothing because of their cap situation. That's their business not Vancouver's so dont push the narrative that Horvat is worth less because of the Avs cap, that makes little to no sense. They willl create a market and if Colorado cant buy then that's their prerogative. You cant will your philosophy on other teams just cause it doesnt suit your own narrative thats not how trade markets function

I’d imagine it would be Byram>Horvat

Did you look at the trade? I did include Newhook. The Avs can barely have a cap compliant roster. They need players like Newhook and Byram to actually be under the cap.

I’m not saying anything about Horvat’s value. Just saying that the Avs can’t afford to re-sign him without making serious sacrifices elsewhere in the roster.

You have the cap at 83.5 though, if it goes up 4m, there's a chance at keeping Byram, but they won't have the benefit of knowing that before hand. They should add O'Reilly instead if the cost of addition is cheaper, and then they could sign him to 5mx8 maybe. Should allow to to keep Byram now and Toews in the following year.

If they sign Horvat, they likely lose Toews, even if they keep Byram.

J Toews is another potential option but I rather not see him wear 16 or 91.

Isn’t the cap projected to go up $1M next year and the bigger jump in 2024-2025?

Even if you add in an extra $3M, I still don’t think you have enough to re-sign Byram without moving out another top 4 D. And you probably also need to upgrade the depth. The bottom 6 and bottom pairing here are really really weak. I also have Meyers, Kaut, and Ranta each taking pay cuts to league minimum contracts here. I don’t think any of those guys are necessarily even ready to be full time NHLers.

The easier answer is to bridge Newhook, extend Byram, let JTC and Rodrigues walk, sign EJ or another vet on a cheap deal to play PK, and see what goal scoring wingers are still looking for a home after the first few days of free agency (ie next year’s Rodrigues).

It’s not as fun as a big splashy sign and trade, but probably the more prudent move forward.