I know the Columbus trade is really to anyone for anything, but Columbus has no need for Smith and we really can’t accept the cap hit.

Avs aren't moving Byram and Edmonton needs wingers, not centres. Both would probably decline pretty easily.

Three rookies and a second year D man making up 4 of 6 on defense? Same with offense with Holtz and Kurashev as first year players and Highmore, Nylander, and Dach as second year players. That's 9 players on this team in their first two years. That's a lot of trust in young players. Not only that but our offensive depth is very thin if you trade Cat and Strome.

My other thought is you're not giving Colorado enough for Byram. They're counting on him to step up into the lineup next year because he's an immediate upgrade over Ian Cole and Mark Barberio (though he's a UFA).

Just my thoughts.

Cat for Byram is not an even trade. Cat is proven and worth more the Byram who is unproven.

I hear ya bud but he wasn't taken 4th for no reason. If Byram was taken 4th 3-4 years ago then you can say he's unproven but dude is 18 years old. Only 3 players in his draft class are "proven" in Hughes, Kakko, and Dach.

Does Colorado need more scoring?

I get it, but let's say he was drafted a year prior...he wouldn't have been close to Dahlin and of course Hughes would have gone before him. I put him in the mix with Dobson, Boqvist and Bouchard; all very respectable. My point is, draft position in a very weak defensive year at #4 would be around #8 the year prior. I think everyone would agree, if the 2016 draft happened all over again, pretty sure Debrincat is a top 6 pick. Now, couple that with Cat being a sure bet proven player, he's simply worth more.

Yes, the AVS are looking for a winger.

If DeBrincat or Strome get traded Bowman needs to get fired. They are the future, I thought I was done with him when Panarin got shipped out of town for nothing back but if this happens he's gotta go.

If the Hawks were interest in Byram they woudl've drafted him instead of Dach.

In this scenario, Byram, Broberg, Boqvist, Dach, Hotlz, and Mitchell are the future. Defense is set for the next decade with this combination. Cat isn't a A- player, Strome is a A- player. These rookies have a shot at being a A/A+ player.