Team: 2020-21 Colorado Avalanche

Initial Creation Date: May 16, 2020

Published: May 16, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

****** Murray trade *******

I figure that due to his injury history; pending UFA status; and cap hit, Murray probably won't cost too much. Not many teams can afford to risk taking on $4.6m in capspace on a player unlikely to be available for a full season.

With that in mind, what do Columbus fans think of this trade?

Ryan Murray for Jost + Greer + COL 2021 2nd + COL 2021 4th* (*conditional on Murray playing at least 50 games).

The risk inherent with acquiring Murray is reflective of the nature of that futures-based return, but Columbus do nonetheless acquire:

- a recent 10th overall pick with 2C potential;
- two decent picks; and
- a young physical depth forward with scoring touch.

Acquiring Murray would allow Colorado to sell high on Graves and Zadorov while still insulating Byram/Timmins for 1 year. In Colorado, Murray's injury issues wouldn't be that big of an issue, as they would afford sporadic opportunities to ease Byram and Timmins into bigger roles.

Murray would initially slot into Graves' role as the steady guy next to Makar:

Murray --- Makar
Girard ---- Johnson
Byram ---- Cole
7D/Timmins​

Whenever Murray is injured you simply bump up Byram and Timmins up:

Byram -- Makar
Girard -- Johnson
Cole ---- 7D/Timmins*

or

Girard -- Makar
Byram -- Johnson
Cole ---- 7D/Timmins*
​
(* during short-term injuries to Murray you use the 7D to fill in; and during longer-term injuries you call up Timmins).


******** NJ trade *******

Logic for the NJ trade can be found here:

COL perspective: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1736381
NJ perspective: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1736384


******** Expansion Draft *********

Protection (7+3+1):
- Mackinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Kadri, Burakovsky, Bratt, Zacha
- Makar, Girard, Johnson (NMC)
- Grubauer
Exposed: Compher, Donskoi, Nichuskin, Rutta (likely gets 40 games as 7D due to Murray/Johnson); Francouz

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