easy decline by the avs. That salary cap is a real thing. Kuznetsov at 7.8m is a bad contract.
You add in tossing in newhook here, not even close to a trade the avs would ever consider

It would be nice to have vanecek, as we do like getting goalies from washington, i don't think kuz is the type of player sakic would target. Plus newhook is worth more to us than another goalie right now so i think colorado declines

Minnesota is running away jumping after getting rid of Suter

I think those are all very valid points. My idea behind is is purely the Avs are primed to win, and needs to win in the next 3 yrs. Kuzy, I agree, isn't Sakic's type of player, but I also think he's done very well with another similar Russian in Nichushkin. Kuzy, imo can shiny in the shadows of MacKinnon - sort of like a Malkin to the Crosby.

Newhook, I agree is a very exciting prospect for the Avs, but will take a few years to step into a 2C role if he's capable. I think deep winning teams like the Avs do eventually give away prospects for the need to win immediately.

Not saying it's fair value, I'm no expert. Just saying its a move that makes sense for both teams that should be going very opposite directions.

Yup, I think Carlson when healthy is probably the better pick and the sexier choice, plus 6 years younger. But Caps need an actual leader right now, their inability to show up and hold other guys in that room accountable seems to be an issue - purely based on my own feelings towards the team.

Suter brings that Niskenin/Orpik pressence that the Caps lack on their blue line since winning the cup in 2018. Even if it's just 1 or 2 more good years left in Suter's tank, I think he'll be a great mentor to the young D. The last 2 years of the contract Caps will 1,000% regret, but I think its necessary evil.