Can we please stop with the lazy "oh hes french so the habs should acquire him". It got old a long time ago

Byram wants more

MTL already need to get rid of some LDmen in the offseason. Why getting one and getting rid of a very good 1st pick is a good idea?

Would love to get Girard in Mtl, but I don’t think he’s a 1st round pick for 2023. Maybe two 2nd round (2023 & 2024 -Avs get their pick back) or the CAL 2025 (protected top 10).

Would still be good for Avs as they need cap space with MacK’s contract kicking in.

The Avs are not trading roster players for futures and they certainly shouldn't be trading Girard for one measly 1st rounder that likely won't play for them for years, if ever. If the Avs are shipping someone out, they're going to want a good roster player(s) coming back. And it's Toews they should be trading: they can probably get more back (although this has not been a great season for him) and his deal is expiring. He fits the mold more of a 1D so if they can find a team that needs that, the Avs might be able to get a good return package to fill their own needs.

Merkley is getting scratched at times in the AHL, I wouldn't pencil him in for the Avs. Malinski is probably closest, but both him and Merkley are rhd.



I agree with and dislike what you said. I can see the Avs treating him like Kadri and use him as an in house rental.

Beyond the lazy "oh, he's French Canadian" idiocy, why exactly would Montreal want Girard? Let alone trade a 1st for him? They're mid-rebuild, have a cheaper and better local offensive LD already, and are loaded with young LD NHLers and prospects.

Some of those contracts are also pretty optimistic on the term side.

I agree they'll probably just let him walk but I don't think they should.

I could see this scenario as well, but at the same time, I wouldn't want the Avs to pay him 8 million a year on a six or seven-year contract. Girard gets so much flack but no one else has had so many different defensive partners and plays in so many different scenarios in the league as him. He is so valuable imo

Maybe I am crazy, maybe I'm just a little unwell. I can see a pair of 6.5-7m deals for both Toews n Byram. lol a homer can dream right?

If they're paying both of those guys that much, they're sacrificing up front. Plus they've got Mikko coming up in two years and Cale a couple years after that. They have to be mindful of that even as the cap rises.

You're right, it will call for an elc/league min bottom 6 and that might not get it done without trades. Playing around with acgm's(posting after this) in 24-25, if the Avs are paying Byram n Toews a combined 14m or less, they have room to fill out a cup run roster and save some cap for Mikko to get 12m. Makar is too far out to guess what he'll make. Once Mikko gets paid, things become really tight for a year. Girard or Manson are the expendables with Behrens and Malinski showing promise. I'd move one but not both. Paying Rants(12), Newy(if coming off a 2 year, 6m), LoC(2.5), Georgie(5), Malinski(1m) and 5 elcs(Meyers, Kovy, JLF,O.O, ??) with a guess of 28m in cap, 4.5-5m more if a dman is moved. If it comes down to being able to keep Toews, I will join the trade Girard community.

The first one out the door should be Manson - he's old-ish and his NTC expires after next season. I'd also be concerned about lack of depth on a team with SC aspirations; we all know how hard to come by goals can be in the playoffs and having guys down the lineup that can score is important. I'm not counting on Malinski or Behrens any time soon, if ever, but there are always guys that can hold down 3rd pair minutes for $1M or less.

2 years for both Behrens n Malinski is a fair time to wait. Let them mature a bit in the pro game. Avs at least have nhl likely D prospects again lol