I cannot see a situation in which the Avs buyout EJ - it's too much dead space for too long and they're going to need every penny they can get for Mac and to put pieces around him. That being said, I like the idea of Suter because he can still be effective and productive. Parise, if he were willing to accept a checking-line role at that price would also be decent but there are better players available.

Yeah I agree, I dont think its possible for the Avs given their current situation to buyout EJ, its better to ride it out for the next two years and have that space be dedicated towards Nates new deal what ever that number is going to look like! some where in the 10.5-12 million dollar range I would expect. But who knows the way EJ's last 2 seasons have gone he may get hurt again and end up on LTIR.

Exactly - he's a useful defender when he's healthy and they can use his LTIR if he isn't. The money on his deal is a problem but not as much a problem buying him out would be.