Team: 2021-22 Colorado Avalanche

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 23, 2021

Published: Jun. 25, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I wanted to be realistic on this one. No big crazy trades / FA's.

Thinking through the core contracts:
Landy @ 6x$7.25M - He gets term with a strong AAV
Grubauer @ 6 x $5.75 - Maybe light but I can see term with a slightly reduced AAV to play on a top 5 team
Makar - The hardest one. I went 6 x $9.5M - paid up to one last RFA year, allowing for a monster second contract

I suspect that the Avs will look to clear some cap space through trades / expansion. Donskoi / Graves / Compher have value and could return players / be a Kraken pick.

I would reach out to Columbus, who will need a D man (even more so if Jones is traded), and see if I can get a deal centered around Graves and Roslovic. Graves would likely be the 2nd D on the Left side. Compher can slide nicely into the 3C and Kaut is a sweetner with so much money going to Columbus. Roslivic is a speedy tweener that could potentially slide up to the 2nd line if Newhook doesn't work there. All in all, three very useful players for Columbus and the Avs get one useful player and cap space back.

EJ will waive NTC, but isnt going anywhere. If healthy, he will lead the PK, be a mentor for the kids, etc. I also love his contract, because it is the MacKinnon plug and Barron should be ready in 2 years.

The trade would leave Jost / Donskoi exposed. I have Donskoi going to Seattle (maybe with something a little extra)

Janmark is a semi-generic pick, but a speedy LW who can PK needs to slot into that 4th line.

Danault is too perfect for the team. Great 3c that can slide to 2C next year if Newhook still needs support. Also challenges Jost to really be that 4c anchor / 1st PK guy etc.

Finally, I saved a little cap room in-case Franky is back or, more likely, a bigger investment in a Goalie. I would also see that having a million or two will allow the Avs to tweak near the trade deadline if needed.

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