I like the look but why would they need Weegar if Byram is already nhl ready? Other then that I think team looks good

I am doubtful on Byram's defense being NHL ready. I think he gets 9 games then plays the rest in the WHL. I've watched him play live multiple times as a vancouver resident, and his defensive game is gnarly. His offensive game is definitely ready though, and he is already a master on the powerplay.

Still though, Byram is a LHD, not a RHD. Weegar essentially replaces Timmins spot on the right side. Byram will claim Cole's spot full time after next season.

I have not got a chance to watch him really but from what I've heard is that he will be ready soon but anyways I think the team looks great

I can definitely see them becoming a dynasty but I feel like they have to win the cup or make it to the finals this year in order to capitalize on the momentum they've built. A first round exit this year would be a massive disappointment

They'd need to move Johnson to make this work, otherwise they lose Graves or Weegar to Seattle for free. Graves should still remain as RFA after that year due to playing so few professional years...

This year as in the playoffs of 2019-20 or 20-21?

I agree completely if 20-21. As for this year, if the season played out as normal the injury concerns could have easily caused an understandable first round exit. Even if the playoffs did return, I don't think anyone can expect anything this year - everyone would be rusty in their performance and not ready for the high intensity nature of playoff hockey.

Starting next year, I think this team can do some serious damage.

I'll send you Kyle Connor+2021 1st for J.T Compher+Bowen Byram+Martin Kaut

I think Donskoi is the throwaway here. Him or Compher. Defenseman are widely available on most teams. COL is one of few that has some forward depth to peer into. I see Compher as the seattle 2C. Even then, it's not a massive blow to COL as they will have a prospect ready to play once he is gone.
COL has almost perfectly managed the domino effect that is contract management and the expansion draft in timing with their prospect's development. There's always a position waiting at the perfect time for each prospect.

1. Trade values look good and appropriate you get points there

2. Compher just seems like a weak 3C for a cup contender, but his wings make up for that i guess? idk

3. Your big 4 contracts are low, even for a stagnant cap they're low by about 500k-1mil each. Which normally wouldn't be a big deal, but 4 contracts an average of 750k off puts you above the cap.

EW has your term (for an 81.5 cap) at

Burakovsky 6 yr = 5.465 mil
Nichushkin 2 yr = 2.515 mil
Weegar 4 yr = 3.834 mil
Graves 1 yr = 3.160 mil

And I wouldn't expect a ton of team friendly deals from 4 players who have had 1 full season with the Avs in the NHL at most.

Nope.
Why Rakell works so flawlessly is the contract overlaps one year into Makar and Landeskog's extension. Connor makes signing Landeskog nearly impossible. Rakell and that extra year buys COL the perfect amount of cap freedom.

I have never seen Weegar at that cap hit before. At 4 years almost everyone has him around 3M.
I'd raise Val to 2.25M at 2 years.
Bura at that cap is too steep to be reasonable. I'd consider 5M, but the term is the big thing for a guy who really only has one good season to his name.
Graves at 3M for 1 year is also steep. 1Y buys no UFA years, and Graves is improving, not declining.

There's 2.2M in cap with a 24 man roster, so really 3M. The adjustments I'm willing to make keep the team under the cap.

Yeah, Sakic have done great job with the prospects.

Regardless, if I were Francis and I had to make a choice between Graves, Weegar, Compher or Donskoi, my vote would immediately go for the d-men because they're both younger and play in great level. Graves' +/- this year is f*cking +40. That's insane for a D that plays with under $1M deal...

Teams have to take chances though. Obviously nobody wants to lose something for nothing, but that's the reality of a playoff team. Besides, if Byram is good enough he very well could lead to Graves getting moved before the deadline due to that reason.
I see you expressing lots of concern, whether Dallas or other teams about buying guys that could potentially be taken at the draft - but that's a risk contending teams have to take. Considering Graves came out of nowhere, losing him is at minimal overall hurt to the franchise if Byram is right there to fill his spot.
I don't see teams just waiting an entire year to make a splash in a trade and lose a year of competition out of fear.

These aren't my numbers, these come from Evolving Wild. They hit within 750k on 90% of UFA's and RFA's last year, including the top 20 most expensive contracts. I'm gonna trust their numbers, they seem to know what they're doing.

In the year of 2020, there's no normal. I think lots of players will take 1 year gamble years and wait for the cap to rise before getting long term contracts.
Teams also won't be handing out as big of money as they otherwise would. If that were the case, we would be seeing extensions now. So far we haven't seen a 7 digit contract after a month of no play. Players are waiting for certainty, and in the end I see less money being dealt than the average would suggest.

Yeah to be fair I despise the thought of losing someone for free, although it's impossible to avoid it.

But if there's solutions that can help in that regard, I'd go for it.

Moving Graves at the deadline for assets in a perfect world (given a ready Byram) is that "solution". Losing Donskoi isn't as detrimental given that he came for free out of July 1. Buy free, lose for free. They got their worth. Compher is a bit harder to swallow, but the difference isn't so drastic that they may see it worthwhile to pay a slight bonus to take Donskoi.

I think there's options with this team and a lot of variety as to who SEA can pick. Due to that, COL can pull the strings for their team's best interest. Besides, at the end of the day, no matter who is picked, this is still a lethal competitor.

Compher isn’t weak, he’s just streaky which happens with bottom 6 guys that are borderline 2nd line players. He has a knack for showing up big when needed. There is a reason Sakic signed him to the extension.

Yeah that's true by the time the playoffs do start (I think we'll have the playoffs this year in the summer) It'll basically be like coming back from the offseason. I think they should have at least a couple of tune up games if possible so teams don't just jump right in. But I still think either them or St. Louis come out of the west this year

He's defensively strong for sure. But essentially the entire Avs team performs better offensively when he's not on the ice...



He'd make a solid 4th line defensive C. But he's going to need volume shooters and offensive play drivers at his wings. I like his defense though.

Pay site for that data or free?

that particular data is free: https://hockeyviz.com/team/COL/1920