I absolutely love that trade for both teams

Bring Rantanen down to a more realistic 9 mil or thereabouts and get under the cap as well. I'd still go Byram & Knight with the picks if they're available but that's all down to personal preference. It certainly isn't a bad effort though.

I know the media says that the avs are in on hayes but does he bring much more than soderberg? I would rather save that money and put it towards a nyquist/skinner/panarin, even trade for a hall or huberdeau.

Also the Toronto trade is bad for us we are only linked because we have the cap space, if its anyone it'll be ari or lak because they arent in the mix to compete, sakic isnt going to carry 6 million on the cap for a year as a favor to Marleau or the leafs, sakic has said for the last few years, more speed and youth... I also think rants takes between 7.5 and 8.5

Hey, I'd love for Rantanen to take a nice deal, but if Jeff Skinner is getting $9mil, do you think Rantanen is going to take $8mil? I think you're looking at 9.5-10 minimum.

I do, because rantanen can take the 8 mill or not play, skinner can take the 9 or go get 8.75 somewhere else

I'd agree on Rantanen, I'm sure I read somewhere he was looking for 8.5 but can't find the source. If so I'd say just sign him already. Especially before Marner gets something ludicrous from TOR. The Marleau trade isn't all that bad to get Kaspanen, maybe they have to add a pick as well. Agreed on Hayes, but this still isn't a bad effort. The one out of the names you mentioned is Nyquist for me. He could create on the second or goon the first and see if Rants can drive a second line. The Avs cupboard is pretty bare on really good goalie prospects which is why I like the idea of Knight with the lower pick. Byram is just a fit for future D, especially as the Avs are weak on the left D for prospects. But of course just my opinions.

Actually, Rantanen could sign an offer sheet if he wants to play, which would hurt the Avs. There's no way he's sitting out either way.

This is true, but you have to find a team willing to do that, and at that point the avs have the opportunity to match... remember nylander?

Yeah, but that wasn't an offer sheet. The offer sheet happened with Calgary, and it prevented a long-term deal happening between Colorado and Ryan O'Reilly.

If COL refuses to pay Rantanen more than $8mil and his agent tells him that he's worth much more, he's not going to sign. Some team WILL offer him $10mil +, probably on a lesser term, and then Colorado has to choose between draft picks, or a deal that they never agreed to.

My point was that nylander never got an offer sheet... I dont think rantanen goes past 8-8.5 he was looking to sign for 6mill before the start of the season

Yeah offer sheets are incredibly rare, but I think if Rantanen is available that someone would try one. Nylander is a good player, but Rantanen is a super star. Can't afford to risk it.