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Alternate Universe

Created by: SankFeravalli
Team: 2021-22 Colorado Avalanche
Initial Creation Date: Aug. 2, 2021
Published: Aug. 2, 2021
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
I’m curious what people think - is this team better than Colorado’s current situation?

This roster is based on the idea that Colorado had worked out a side deal for Seattle to take Erik Johnson. The alleged asking price was a 1st and a 3rd (ironically less than they paid Arizona for Kuemper). With this trade worked out, Donskoi is not selected. There is also no need to trade Graves to keep him from being selected by Seattle. With Graves still on the team, they probably don’t trade for MacDermid. With the additional $6M in cap space, maybe Colorado is able to sign Grubauer. It seems like term was also a potential sticking point for Colorado, but with less trade assets maybe the Avs are more willing to bend to keep their guy than explore other options. Obviously with Grubauer signed there is no Kuemper trade.

Playing the “hindsight game” isn’t really fair, and I’m not necessarily sure that this is a better or worse situation. But it’s interesting to see another version of this team if some decisions were different.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
1$1,000,000
Trades
1.
COL
  1. Graves, Ryan
NJD
  1. Maltsev, Mikhail
Additional Details:
‘21 2nd Rd (Sean Behrens)
2.
COL
  1. Donskoi, Joonas
SEA
    Expansion selection
    3.
    COL
    1. Timmins, Conor [RFA Rights]
    2. 2022 1st round pick (COL)
    3. 2024 3rd round pick (COL)
    ARI
    1. Kuemper, Darcy
    4.
    COL
    1. 2023 4th round pick (COL)
    SEA
    1. MacDermid, Kurtis
    5.
    COL
    1. Grubauer, Philipp
    SEA
    6.
    COL
    SEA
    1. Johnson, Erik
    2. 2022 1st round pick (COL)
    3. 2023 3rd round pick (COL)
    DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
    2022
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    2023
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    2024
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    Logo of the COL
    ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
    22$81,500,000$80,760,630$1,741,463$3,350,000$739,370
    Left WingCentreRight Wing
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Landeskog, Gabriel
    $7,000,000$7,000,000
    LW, C
    NMC
    UFA - 8
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    MacKinnon, Nathan
    $6,300,000$6,300,000
    C
    M-NTC
    UFA - 2
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Rantanen, Mikko
    $9,250,000$9,250,000
    RW, C
    UFA - 4
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Burakovsky, André
    $4,900,000$4,900,000
    RW, LW
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Kadri, Nazem
    $4,500,000$4,500,000
    C
    M-NTC
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Seattle Kraken
    Donskoi, Joonas
    $3,900,000$3,900,000
    RW
    UFA - 2
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Newhook, Alex
    $908,333$908,333 (Performance Bonus$850,000$850K)
    C, LW
    RFA - 2
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Jost, Tyson
    $2,000,000$2,000,000
    C
    UFA - 2
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Nichushkin, Valeri
    $2,500,000$2,500,000
    RW, LW
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Helm, Darren
    $1,000,000$1,000,000
    C, LW, RW
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Compher, J.T.
    $3,500,000$3,500,000
    C, RW
    UFA - 2
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    O'Connor, Logan
    $725,000$725,000
    RW, LW
    UFA - 1
    Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Toews, Devon
    $4,100,000$4,100,000
    LD
    UFA - 3
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Makar, Cale
    $9,000,000$9,000,000
    RD
    UFA - 6
    Logo of the Seattle Kraken
    Grubauer, Philipp
    $5,900,000$5,900,000
    G
    NTC
    UFA - 6
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Girard, Samuel
    $5,000,000$5,000,000
    LD/RD
    UFA - 6
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Francouz, Pavel
    $2,000,000$2,000,000
    G
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Byram, Bowen
    $894,167$894,167 (Performance Bonus$2,500,000$2M)
    LD/RD
    RFA - 2
    Timmins, Conor
    $1,000,000$1,000,000
    RD
    RFA - 2
    Logo of the New Jersey Devils
    Graves, Ryan
    $3,166,667$3,166,667
    LD
    UFA - 2
    ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    Sherwood, Kiefer
    $750,000$750,000
    LW, RW
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Colorado Avalanche
    MacDonald, Jacob
    $725,000$725,000
    LD/RD
    UFA - 1

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    Aug. 2, 2021 at 9:49 a.m.
    #1
    JeffW
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    Sooo last year's team?
    Pond_Duck and SankFeravalli liked this.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 10:05 a.m.
    #2
    Richard88
    John 3 16
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    It would cost more than a 1st+3rd to move Johnson.

    If EJ and Kuemper are healthy this year (BIG If's) and if Newhook can replace the production of Donskoi then I think what we have could be marginally better. Some offense will be lost from Saad not being replaced, but with a better defense (all the young guys improving + EJ + Kuemper) the team should still be competitive. I also like the 4th line of Helm -- Maltsev -- O'Connor/Compher, their energy will be a boost compared to the 4th line we ran in the playoffs (eg. Ranta-Soderberg-whatever)

    If Sakic could replace Saad with a top 6 forward making <$4m then we'd be looking pretty strong.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 10:13 a.m.
    #3
    Pond_Duck
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    Yes I think this team is better than the team we have now, I am not saying the team we have now is bad it’s still good but a decrease from what we had.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 10:16 a.m.
    #4
    Pond_Duck
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    Quoting: Richard88
    It would cost more than a 1st+3rd to move Johnson.

    If EJ and Kuemper are healthy this year (BIG If's) and if Newhook can replace the production of Donskoi then I think what we have could be marginally better. Some offense will be lost from Saad not being replaced, but with a better defense (all the young guys improving + EJ + Kuemper) the team should still be competitive. I also like the 4th line of Helm -- Maltsev -- O'Connor/Compher, their energy will be a boost compared to the 4th line we ran in the playoffs (eg. Ranta-Soderberg-whatever)

    If Sakic could replace Saad with a top 6 forward making <$4m then we'd be looking pretty strong.


    Yes there are a lot of big if’s when it comes to injures especially in net, and like you said with Newhook as well. You could even through Maltsev into the category has “risks”. But as you get closer and closer to the cap and you have to plan for big contracts to expire you have to take risks on players.
    Richard88 liked this.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 10:24 a.m.
    #5
    SankFeravalli
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    Quoting: JeffW
    Sooo last year's team?


    …yep
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 10:28 a.m.
    #6
    SankFeravalli
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    Quoting: Richard88
    It would cost more than a 1st+3rd to move Johnson.

    If EJ and Kuemper are healthy this year (BIG If's) and if Newhook can replace the production of Donskoi then I think what we have could be marginally better. Some offense will be lost from Saad not being replaced, but with a better defense (all the young guys improving + EJ + Kuemper) the team should still be competitive. I also like the 4th line of Helm -- Maltsev -- O'Connor/Compher, their energy will be a boost compared to the 4th line we ran in the playoffs (eg. Ranta-Soderberg-whatever)

    If Sakic could replace Saad with a top 6 forward making <$4m then we'd be looking pretty strong.


    Both this scenario and the team in reality have the potential to make additional moves. The real team today has some extra cap flexibility. I agree that the defense has the potential to be better - Makar is a year older, healthy Johnson > Graves (in my opinion), Byram should at least match what Timmins did down the stretch but with more upside. I think they need one more guy back there, and definitely think another top-six/middle-six forward is necessary.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 11:04 a.m.
    #7
    Richard88
    John 3 16
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    Quoting: Mergus80
    Both this scenario and the team in reality have the potential to make additional moves. The real team today has some extra cap flexibility. I agree that the defense has the potential to be better - Makar is a year older, healthy Johnson > Graves (in my opinion), Byram should at least match what Timmins did down the stretch but with more upside. I think they need one more guy back there, and definitely think another top-six/middle-six forward is necessary.


    Yep, 2LW and a 3RHD who can PK are the two holes on the roster. Would have really liked it if we had signed Hakanpaa, that was a perfect fit. Saad at $4.5m AAV was a good opportunity but with 5 year term and NTC's it's understandable why Sakic passed.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 11:50 a.m.
    #8
    Xqb15a
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    Quoting: Richard88
    It would cost more than a 1st+3rd to move Johnson.

    If EJ and Kuemper are healthy this year (BIG If's) and if Newhook can replace the production of Donskoi then I think what we have could be marginally better. Some offense will be lost from Saad not being replaced, but with a better defense (all the young guys improving + EJ + Kuemper) the team should still be competitive. I also like the 4th line of Helm -- Maltsev -- O'Connor/Compher, their energy will be a boost compared to the 4th line we ran in the playoffs (eg. Ranta-Soderberg-whatever)

    If Sakic could replace Saad with a top 6 forward making <$4m then we'd be looking pretty strong.


    I think this years team is going to be significantly better than last season. Byram is going to be significantly better than Graves and continue to get better than, kid is a beast. Newhook may not eclipse Donskoi’s point totals initially but he is also going to be significantly better than Donskoi. EJ healthy is better than Timmins, and Kuemper healthy is better than Grubauer. A top 6 forward is a waste to spend money on when you have the ability to at least try and replace it internally, where that money should be spent is on a 3rd pairing defender because if MacDermaind plays a lot the Avs are in a lot of trouble. Also Frankie is an upgrade over the carousel of back ups, and as scary as it might be Makar can get better. I mean come one Vegas has the Avs as the Cup favorite and JFresh WAR model has them projected to win the presidents trophy again. The Avs last season got a bit fat on the Ducks, Kings, Sharks, and Yotes of the world.
    Richard88 liked this.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 11:56 a.m.
    #9
    SankFeravalli
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    Quoting: Xqb15a
    I think this years team is going to be significantly better than last season. Byram is going to be significantly better than Graves and continue to get better than, kid is a beast. Newhook may not eclipse Donskoi’s point totals initially but he is also going to be significantly better than Donskoi. EJ healthy is better than Timmins, and Kuemper healthy is better than Grubauer. A top 6 forward is a waste to spend money on when you have the ability to at least try and replace it internally, where that money should be spent is on a 3rd pairing defender because if MacDermaind plays a lot the Avs are in a lot of trouble. Also Frankie is an upgrade over the carousel of back ups, and as scary as it might be Makar can get better. I mean come one Vegas has the Avs as the Cup favorite and JFresh WAR model has them projected to win the presidents trophy again. The Avs last season got a bit fat on the Ducks, Kings, Sharks, and Yotes of the world.


    I hope I’m wrong (Colorado’s pro scouts have found some hidden gems in the past), but MacDermid playing legitimate minutes would be a disservice to the rest of the team.
    Xqb15a liked this.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 12:07 p.m.
    #10
    Richard88
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    Quoting: Mergus80
    I hope I’m wrong (Colorado’s pro scouts have found some hidden gems in the past), but MacDermid playing legitimate minutes would be a disservice to the rest of the team.


    If MacDermid's presence on the ice causes Byram to not get concussed again it will be worth persisting with MacDermid.
    Xqb15a liked this.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 1:29 p.m.
    #11
    Xqb15a
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    Quoting: Richard88
    If MacDermid's presence on the ice causes Byram to not get concussed again it will be worth persisting with MacDermid.


    Yeah but who is MacDermind going to play against? VGK, STL who else?
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 1:45 p.m.
    #12
    Richard88
    John 3 16
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    Quoting: Xqb15a
    Yeah but who is MacDermind going to play against? VGK, STL who else?


    Anaheim were one of the most annoying teams to play last year. They were the reason why O'Brien came into the lineup, after that game where their goons chased Kadri and our Dmen.

    Vegas and Blues as well.

    Plus a lot of the eastern conference teams we didn't face last year, a lot of which are bigger and more physical.
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 7:10 p.m.
    #13
    Xqb15a
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    Quoting: Richard88
    Anaheim were one of the most annoying teams to play last year. They were the reason why O'Brien came into the lineup, after that game where their goons chased Kadri and our Dmen.

    Vegas and Blues as well.

    Plus a lot of the eastern conference teams we didn't face last year, a lot of which are bigger and more physical.


    I would be shocked if he played in the front end of any travel trips. He just isn’t good by any measurable stat except face punching
    Aug. 2, 2021 at 8:47 p.m.
    #14
    SankFeravalli
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    Quoting: Richard88
    Yep, 2LW and a 3RHD who can PK are the two holes on the roster. Would have really liked it if we had signed Hakanpaa, that was a perfect fit. Saad at $4.5m AAV was a good opportunity but with 5 year term and NTC's it's understandable why Sakic passed.


    There’s your 3rd pair D
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