Graves and Nichuskin will get at least double that.

So double them, we've got the cap space.

I don't mind the Saad trade, as I quite like Jost, but I don't know where he'd play in Chicago. I've seen Avs fans they like him more at center and with Toews/Dach/Strome down the middle, I think we'd have to force him to the wing, which probably isn't great for us. You think he'd be effective on the wing, on either side?

If that was the case I would say whatever you do make the role consistent don’t bounce him around the line up with a changing role.

I'd rather insert Kaut into the lineup than spend the money on Girgensons. And Byram needs to be playing so he's either in the lineup (doubtful) or back in the WHL; can't have him sitting around on nacho duty. I'm not sure about Saad but it might work out for just that one year.

Agreed giving Girgenson a 4 yr deal for money than Neito who is better than him is not a wise expenditure of cap space.

That's true, I'm a big proponent of lineup consistency, especially for young guys.

That’s been my one pet peeve with Bednar (besides the pk philosophy) is not letting some of the guys like Jost develop a clear role. I mean Jost has bounced up and down the line up, in and out of the PP units and even started killing penalties all while never playing an consistent linemates.

That's mostly his own fault - he hasn't been able to stick in one place because he hasn't done anything particularly well. To be fair, though, he should have stayed at ND another year; coming out early probably hurt his development more than anything else.

No player was hurt more than Jost but the Avs sudden and immediate ascension into a playoff team after the 48pt debacle. I’m sure the original plan was give him heavy top 6 minutes have the team improve while they both take some lumps, but MacKinnon had other ideas and when they were in playoff mode late in the season Bednar couldn’t justify continuing to roll him out. At worst in hindsight he probably should have spent a season in the AHL but to his credit he forced his way into the lineup.

And then got stuck in a bottom-6 role. They seem intent on having him be a two-way guy if they keep him which is fine - if he can get over the hump, he could be the 3C they need and move Compher to the wing.