Team: 2020-21 Colorado Avalanche

Initial Creation Date: Sep. 4, 2020

Published: Sep. 4, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

TEAM OUTLOOK:

Disappointing end to the season but I agree with Mackinnon - this team can win as-is if they can stay healthy and get a couple lucky bounces. No need to overreact to a game 7 OT loss when youre missing your top 2 goalies, captain, top shutdown D man, 3 important depth guys, and top D prospect (well, not the Avs top D prospect, but he would be a top D prospect on a lot of teams). Avs could add a forward or a goalie, but I dont think either are absolutely necessary. Its more of a 'want' rather than a 'need'. I think Both Markstrom and Lehner are worth checking in on in free agency if we can get them for a good price, but ultimately I would still be ok with a Grubauer/Francouz tandem for next season. Ive seen a ton of goalie trades to COL in AGM but honestly im not interested in any of them, either we get an established #1 G in UFA or we keep our tandem imo. In terms of forwards I dont think this team needs to tie up a ton of cap into a guy like Hall/Hoffman/Dadonov, but if we can get guys like Namestnikov on a short term cheap deal then Id be happy. Alternatively, Sakic may look to add forward for the 2nd line via trade if theres a good enough deal (Rakell/Killorn come to mind)

RFAs:

Burakovsky - what a great pickup. Id try to sign him long term
Jost - I think Jost still has 2nd line upside but he hasnt been consistent enough. Id shop him around but he could be brought back if there are no good trade offers for him. Could also try to package him in a deal to get a 2nd line winger
Nichushkin - another great pickup - definitely extend him. I think 2x2 is appropriate
Kamenev - going to the KHL but if I was Sakic I would still offer him his QO just to keep his NHL rights in case he tries to make an NHL return in a couple years like Grigorenko
Zadorov - He had a pretty good playoffs and I would be happy to keep him, but with a surplus of LHD he may be on the block - could also use him in a trade package for a 2nd line wing
Graves - what a breakout year, Id keep him over Zadorov but Graves probably has higher trade value so he could be a trade chip for a 2nd line wing
O'Connor - really impressed by him this playoffs. He could challenge for the 13th forward spot next year
Miska - solid season in the AHL - hes earned an extension. With Annunen likely going back to Liiga the Eagles tandem will probably be Werner/Miska again
Greer - solid year in the AHL but with off ice issues and the Avs pretty deep forward core I doubt he will be sent a QO
Dries - same as Greer minus the off ice issues

UFAs:

Nieto - hes been good for a bottom 6 guy the last couple years but its probably time to move on.
Wilson - Ive always liked Wilson but with injury issues im not sure if hes a fit for a team who has battled through so many injuries already.
Namestnikov - Id extend him for a reasonable price on a short term deal. He was good for the Avs in his short stint
Everyone else probably gets little consideration to be re-signed

They may also look for a 7th D man depending on how the Timmins/Byram situation works out, and depending on if Zadorov/Graves are traded

DRAFT:

Im not sure how the draft seeding works - usually its based off of which teams win the division but with the season ending early and the round robin taking its place I havent found any info about which one takes priority. Either way, the Avs were technically 2nd in the division by P% in the regular season, and finished 2nd in the round robin. This likely gives them a better draft pick this year. Capfriendly lists them as 24th as of right now, which may change (or not - again im not sure how the seeding works with the shortened season) depending on the outcome of the VGK-VAN and NYI-PHI series. I will assume they stay at 24th overall for this AGM


My Draft targets for the 1st round (no particular order):
Dawson Mercer
Mavrik Bourque
Rodion Amirov
Noel Gunler
JJ Peterka
Jan Mysak
Jacob Perreault
Connor Zary

Some of these guys may have to fall a bit to get to 24th overall, but im slightly more optimistic now with our 1st round pick than I have been in previous AGMs when ive been projecting COLs pick in the 27-31 range