Team: 2022-23 Colorado Avalanche

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 1, 2022

Published: Apr. 1, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Other options if players cost more or don't want to come here:
Lyubushkin - Stecher:
Not as strong defensively, but also not as weak offensively, and almost certainly a good bit cheaper

Kukan - Kulak:
Likely quite a bit more expensive, but has thrived with an offensive partner which is very helpful when there is an injury in the top 4. Would be the preferred option, but I think some team will be able to pay him more than the avs.

Motte - Larsson:
Larsson has a longer history of being a strong defensive player, but based on their deadline returns is likely more expensive. Both have had similar seasons, and getting one would be nice, but should not overpay to get one.

Sturm - Rodrigues:
Going to cost a lot more and would likely require moving Johnson or buying him out. Keeping Sturm is the much preferred option as he will be significantly cheaper and has already proven to fit in, but if Sturm wants too much and Rodrigues can be had for a reasonable price and they see him as a better fit than Compher, it's not a bad move. They can also just keep Compher if they don't see anything they like, or have Maltsev there if they believe in him in that role.

Kuemper - Campbell/Husso:
Definetly not a goalie guy, but unless there is some trade out there these are the only two I would take a risk on. Fleury is a maybe, but he hasn't had a strong season and is at a very risky age. The ideal scenario I believe is to retain Kuemper but keep his term down, although it likely takes more based on the amount of teams who need a starter for next season (Edmonton, Toronto, New Jersey)

Trade:
Moving Compher is purely cap related and trying to avoid buying out EJ. He's still a good player, and if you can move EJ instead for a reasonable price you do it, even if you have to retain 2mil, just because it saves you an extra 2mil next season from the buyout. Compher is a solid piece that a team that wants to compete like San Jose could use, and costing only a 3rd is good value for the sharks. Compher puts up strong defensive numbers, is used on the pk, and has put up a 30 point pace the last 4 seasons.

Lineup:
Forward:
I wanted to get Maltsev in, but I do have concerns over his fit in the bottom 6. I love Motte and O'Connor as the 4th line wingers, so much forechecking and speed, but not much skill which I think hurts the fit with Maltsev, so there is the option to move up O'Connor and play either Kaut or Aube-Kubel on the 4th line, although not sold that's an improvement. Ranta has really struggled in the NHL, but he could be another option if he has improved. I love Lehkonen and Sturm on the 3rd line, and I wouldn't have minded Compher as the RW, but elected to move him, which does create a large hole on the 3rd line. I'm hoping Kaut can take a step and fit with those two because I think it could be a great shutdown line, but if not I also like O'Connor there, although his skill has disappeared recently, so if he can't find it and Kaut doesn't take a step, maybe they try Maltsev on the wing, or ideally, find a value signing/trade that is similar to Nichushkin/Toews moves, but obviously I don't expect as insanely good value as the two. Top 6 is pretty self explanatory, I would be pretty surprised if this isn't what it looks like, but maybe Nichushkin or Burakovsky want more than the avs can afford. In that case, maybe you can sign Marchment if you believe in him as fit and can keep up his play here, or play Lehkonen there.

Defence:
The defence is very easy at the top end, just keep your young top 4 and play them however you chose (I personally prefer Toews - Girard and Byram - Makar, especially come playoffs against a team like Edmonton or Florida with two stars who are on separate lines, But I can't argue too hard against the Toews - Makar pairing). The bottom pair I wouldn't mind bringing back Murray and Manson, but Murray still has injury concerns, and Manson I think will cost too much. There are quite a few defencemen who I think would provide strong value on the avs bottom pairing, and I went with Kukan and Lyubushkin(Although they don't have strong pk numbers which is a big concern), but there are plenty of options, Johnson and Kulak, Murray and Stecher, Nutivaara and Miller, or De Haan and Rutta, some dmen are going to be available for less than they should be and they should be the ones the avs target.

Goalie:
Kuemper had a very slow start, but is now 3rd in GSAx, only behind Shesterkin and Andersen, and is 3rd over the last 3 seasons, only behind Hellebuyck and Shesterkin. Francouz on the other hand is just perfectly solid, he's not going to lose or win you many games, but is a perfectly competent backup.

Concerns:
I believe in Newhook taking a step, but if he doesn't who plays 2C? Rantanen has proven to be able to do it and I believe Landeskog could do it, but then you can't put together your top line, although Nichushkin has been strong up there recently, and Burakovsky has previously had success up there. The bottom 6 a much bigger concern, I love Lehkonen, Sturm and O'Connor, but not sure if O'Connor can succeed above the 4th line, and I am putting a lot of stock in Sturm's 7 games with the avs, but I believe he can b a strong 3C. Sturm is very strong defensively, although there is concern he will be more of 20 point player than the 30 points you would want from a 3rd liner. A Motte or Larsson would be perfect for the 4th line, but if you can't get one you likely need to bring in a vet who might decline or hope one of your young players take a step, and you are already hoping Maltsev and Kaut are taking a step, which is the biggest concern in the bottom 6.

The other concern is your bottom pair on the pk. Toews is going to be on there, and Makar has started to play some pk, but unless you get Byram to pk, which I don't mind, you will need both dmen on your bottom pair to pk, and none of the players available who I think could be valuable pickups have a long history of pk success.