retaining doesnt really make sense anymore as avs dont really have an cap issues and there is no market to spend on anyone worth that cap space, so dropping the pick and retention would make more sense for the deal

d pairing is off

Graves - Hamilton
Smith - Severson
Siegenthaler/Bahl - PK

I think we're gonna carry an extra forward some games against solid defensive opponents and extra D man against high octane offenses

Why is mercer at c over kuokkanen or compher

It was my trade, so I'll chime in. The retention was more with the thought of next year and having more space to throw around in the off season. If Johnsson fits in, then they can either keep him for another run or trade him at a higher value. If he doesn't, it may be a more movable contract than Compher's.

A straight trade might make sense too. I ended up doing it this way because year two had Colorado keeping Johnsson and also signing both Burakovsky and Hertl (my pipe dream). The extra space came in handy.

In any case, it's not super exciting for either side but there is potential for a better fit for both.

That is the defensive lineup I have been using.
But Fitzy did say that they will likely split Smith and Severson up.
Not sure how that ends up looking
Like the idea of running 7 d-men some nights.

If he makes team, it’s probably as a center, hence 3C.
Kuokkanen played center in AHL, but was only a winger last year.
Compher and Mercer could probably flip at times.

Blockbuster.

fit could be there, dont disagree, just a 3rd seems very heavy to retain on a salary that dont really need it right now and next year you can plan around a full cap hit...they had Compher so its not like they dont have it planned already. I would do it just straight up and hope for the best. Cant really be spending 3rds right now. Avs have spent too much draft capital

It was a 2023 3rd in my post, which made it a little more palatable. I think you could get a pick or prospect back by trading him after the year, especially if he has a bounce back campaign.

In any case, I do get your pov though. They would have to use the space created in the off season or there is no point in paying a 3rd for the retention. It's a leap of faith that they'll go hard after a big fish, partially with the help of the added flex.

I would still consider without the pick if I were Fitzy.
We could use him in that 3C/3RW role until Mercer is ready.
Or even at times higher in lineup with Hughes if we move Sharangovich to 3C until Holtz arrives.

Me too Bahl as a 7th D man would be righteous... so pumped to have a promising system let alone a decent looking hockey team again!