damn that second line is a defensive juggernaut!!!

If Bergy wanted another cup he would have signed somewhere else..

People can change their minds when confronted with a different circumstance or set of facts

Bergy has full NMC, a cup already, and no desire to play anywhere else. He will play his entire career in Boston.

If Ray Bourque can be traded then so can Bergeron. I get that Bourque had no cup, but Bergeron might just feel like winning one last time. Time will tell.

Fwiw I think Boston probably makes the playoffs, but with McAvoy and Marchand out to start with it could be a battle for them with a few pretenders making pushes.tonimorove this year, like Buffalo, NJ, Detroit, Columbus, etc. The East won't be as top heavy as it was last year.

Yeah, good luck scoring against that line haha

Could also balance lines a bit and swap Lehkonen with one of Rodrigues or Newhook. Either way though this would be a phenomenal addition to complete the Avs forward group.

Possible but unlikely. I get the wishful thinking. Wish he would come to the Rangers

He could always change his mind. But he’s not cup hungry, that’s not why he’s back, and does not want to play anywhere else. 🤷🏻‍♂️

If the Avs moved back to Quebec City this year…that might tempt him.

But Boston will be a contender anyway. Don’t see them being sellers at the deadline unless the wheels fall off. They were 100 point team last year and improved. Fla and Leafs got worse. Sens got better.

Marchy and Mac missing time will hurt but it’s blown out of proportion.

That’s a lot for a rental you know you have no chance of re-signing besides the fact he isn’t going to waive.

God I wish we could get him.

How did they improve?

1st + decent prospect + B prospect and Kaut as a throw-in who has little to no trade value is hardly a lot for a guy who will likely be the premium center on the market (if the B's end up sellers and he wants to go anywhere, which yeah is unlikely)

Lost Haula & Lazar added Krejci & Zacha. I’d say that’s a huge improvement.

That's fair. But you're also depending on a few older guys keeping up their previous levels, including Krejci. Starting the year without McAvoy and Marchand could be critical too.

B’s are 24-15-5 without Mac since 2018.

59-42-12 in games without Marchand in his career.

Will it hurt. Sure. But as i said above…way overblown.

It’s a lot when it is COL’s 2nd best prospect, their only pick in the first 5 rounds in 2 consecutive drafts. The only way COL is moving pieces like Olausson and the 23 1st are for guys that are going to give them multiple runs.

Newhook is the guy who is going to give them multiple runs. The question is as he matured enough as a player to ensure that this year is the first of the multiple runs. Trade deadline will be decision time. Bergeron would be worth Olausson and the 23 1st + for one run but could quite possibly tie the Avs hands for future runs. It will probably be academic in Bergeron's case because he is unlikely to be available but someone will be out there come trade deadline time making for an interesting decision to be made. I would stick with the long game but that is just me.

Newhook is going to be fine, my guy @richard88 is just the most negative Newhook guy in the Avs kingdom 🤣

How about in games without both?

That's fair. I think this is what it would take to get Bergeron though. You're probably right that the AVS go for guys they can re-sign though.

Hahaha

I'm not negative, I just don't think he's shown capacity to take the 2C job.... YET. Just being pragmatic with expectations mate.

33pts in a rookie year playing primarily 3C with most common linemates being Compher and NAK. He also hit the proverbial rookie wall and will make the adjustment accordingly. Kid is going to be just fine.

Playing C is about more than just points. He completely lost his coverage in the slot against Dallas recently on their goal; clearly defensive coverage is a work in progress. Also faceoffs aren't great.

I'm hopeful but there's a reason why Bednar says he'll be given a shot for a few months rather than saying the job is his permanently. Going from 3LW to 2C is a huge jump.

Except he was playing 3C the majority of the season. I’d argue the most important thing for a top 6 player to contribute is points. You can teach guys to play defense you can’t teach them to score. Breakdowns are going to happen especially at the beginning of the year.