There's a legit chance it happens????????

Avs are in win-now mode. This doesn't help them in the slightest.

Understandable. Nobody wants to be getting rid of players, but the expansion draft will make stacked teams lose some good players. How do you see the Avs going about expansion? I figured with Byram and Timmins right there, they'd be open to trading a Dman for futures so they can protect more fwds like Kadri and Burakovsky, and even Saad if they resign him early.

That his career may be over? Sounds like it is possible. It's apparently a chronic arthritis related shoulder issue so not necessarily a condition that can be fixed by all manner of surgery. But I imagine a really skilled surgery could give him a few more years, but at the end of that the question would be what his quality of life is if his shoulder is completely gone at the end of a few more years of play.

I'm not sure I agree. Samorukov is ready to step into the NHL next September, is millions cheaper than Graves and is probably as good or better. I think this trade is a loss for the Oilers, both immediately and in the future.

Under expansion rules, we have to expose one defenseman. Right now, that's either Toews or Graves as the Avs will protect Girard and Makar, and will be forced to protect Johnson unless he waives (*fingers crossed*). Most Avs fans assume he will either waive or be bought out to protect Toews, so that leaves Graves or a deadline acquisition as a *must expose* for the draft. If we end up trading him, it'll likely be for an upgrade at 3C, but that's a big IF considering all the injuries we're facing right now. My bet is that we dangle him in front of Seattle as expansion fodder.



Next September being the key phrase there. He doesn't look bad on paper, but I admittedly don't know too much about him. Right now, we need the depth and we all know how important depth is for a cup run. Consequently, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If Graves is traded, I imagine it'll be a hockey trade and not for futures.

I assumed the trade was proposed for after the Cup was awarded but just prior to the expansion draft, since this is a 2021-22 roster.

I think his point is that he'd rather lose graves to the expansion than graves and (jost,compher,donskoi) to trade and expansion

The way to fix it for good is a complete shoulder replacement like an old person with a worn out hip. That means he's done playing hockey. They could go in and get the shoulder cleaned out and maybe he gets a few more years but that's not a for sure. He's been dealing with this injury since he was 21 and in the past he rested and it got good enough to play that's why he's not doing anything about it.

Apologies, I didn't even see the year listed. Under that assumption, then this deal makes a little more sense though I still think Joe would target a hockey trade.

Avs are going to lose someone to expansion regardless, there's no need to get cute. I like Samorukov though.