I think Graves isn't close to a top pair D but otherwise S-E-X-Y

Well duh

Triple that

Toews will get between 3.5M and 4M

Understandable but that’s where he played in the playoffs, he’s good with Makar.

hes not, he just plays with makar

That D Core is filthy.

Serious question- so who is Colorado protecting next year on defense?

Makar, Girard, EJ most likely. If EJ waives then protect Toews

If the Avs retain Toews long term this is a huge win. If they lose him to expansion after this year...I mean, it's still a win because Toews is a legit 1D but I'm not knocking the islanders as much as I was an hour ago before I remembered Seattle was coming.

Depending on how this year goes they could also opt for 8/1 instead of 7/3/1. Mackinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Kadri, Makar, Girard, Toews, EJ/Graves. This leaves Burakovsky unprotected though. If EJ doesn't waive then they will likely have to choose between losing Burakovsky or Toews to Seattle

Very nice Left side and doesn’t even include Byram, it will be interesting. I can see Byram given another year to develop and after next season Graves gets traded to make room for Byram.

Looking good Avs I must admit. I think soon we’re in for Avs vs Rangers in the finals for 3 straight years.

He grades out as a 2nd pair but, yeah, he's solid although he did come from a defensive system.

Right. This should actually make EJ more likely to waive since there is no way Seattle takes a 33-34 y/o oft-injured D over a young guy who has played top minutes on a contender.

I hope so

Why would Seattle want EJ? That makes no sense whatsoever. I think Graves is the guy you hang out there but even if Seattle takes someone like JT, you can still find someone to trade Graves to. Or, if they really like Graves, they can flip Toews to someone else for assets, like a young scoring wing. This gives them a lot more options.

I will say that EJ deserves mad respect and I hope the Avs can win a Cup before he goes and that he can be a part of it. He went through some really, really bad years with this team and, as far as we know, was a real pro and never asked for a trade and he played #1 minute because there was nobody else to do it even though he wasn't/isn't a #1. He isn't the player he once was but he still has some hockey left in him. If they could win one, it would be right up there with the Ray Bourque moment for me.

I agree, I don't think Seattle would take him. But from his perspective waiving his NMC might not be a risk he's willing to take

Trade Graves ahead of the draft?

I don't think so. Avs are gonna lose a good player no matter what. Trade values are at an all time low before an expansion draft anyway since it wastes a protection slot for the buying team.

Imo there are 3 scenarios:

EJ waives:
Protect top 7 forwards + Makar, Girard, and Toews. Graves is taken by Seattle

EJ doesn't waive and Burakovsky outperforms Toews:
Protect top 7 forwards + Makar, Girard, EJ. Toews is taken by Seattle

EJ doesn't waive, and Toews outperforms Burakovsky:
Protect Mack, Landeskog, Rantanen, Kadri + Makar, Girard, EJ, Toews. Burakovsky is taken by Seattle

Or Sakic could make a side deal with Seattle and give them assets to take someone else, but I doubt it after everyone saw how that worked out for VGK