Ducks have no interest in dealing Henrique with retention during the summer. You can check back at the TDL though.

Honest question of why not during the summer? It removes all risk that he sustains an injury or fails to perform. If it were me, I'd take the bird in the hand (assuming I thought it was a good offer).

~2.7 million reasons (how much out of pocket we pay for the whole season vs at the TDL. Whole season is the 2.9 million figure, TDL is a few hundred thousand, a lot easier for ownership to stomach)

That said, I'd take the deal, if Olausson develops into what he is supposed to, he is exactly what Anaheim needs.

I do get the financial aspect for the owners. But it's not as though they'll be spending close to the cap next year. Also, they were willing to pay Klingberg 3.5M for half the year with the intention of getting assets at the tdl. This is kinda similar imo.

Agree on Olausson's potential fit with the Ducks. He's not a sure thing, but I think he's one that Anaheim should take a shot on. Foudy and Kovalenko (if he comes to the US) make him a bit expendable for the Avs imo, which is why I think it's a good trade for both.

It's a simple fact that the Ducks are a better team on the ice with Henrique playing vs not. The contrast last season when he was out with injury was was extremely telling in how much value he adds as a veteran presence on a pretty young forward group.

Trading him in the summer basically means Verbeek intends to tank for another season. I don't think that's necessary and suspect Verbeek doesn't either. It should be about making an incremental step forward... the build part of "rebuild".

We're a fair bit closer to the cap than a lot of people think, assuming we buy a #1RHD in FA. We're something like 16 million below the floor as it stands now, but once we extend Zegras, Terry, and Drysdale, we are at the floor. After that we still need backup goalie (Dostal) a few defensemen, 4C, and 2LW. Add 1LW if we trade out Henrique.

I just don't see him as that much different than Perreault. Maybe I'm off base on that as I can't claim to know all that much about him.

I don't think loosing Henrique would be quite as critical as you say. Strome and Vatrano were also brought in to be leadership, and though Strome hasn't adapted quite as well, Vatrano certainly looks great as a Duck.

There's something to be said for team continuity and leadership, but Olausson is the top prospect in Colorado's system, and he's currently in the AHL, meaning he should be NHL ready here real soon. Getting a 2024 1st wouldn't be ready until what, 2027?

I personally like the kids draft profile. Very fast, knows how to get to the dangerous parts of the ice, solid two way game. Sounds like an ideal winger for McTavish if he develops properly. Has good size top.

I will certainly agree that trading Rico or not doesn't factor into the success or failure of this offseason much at all. The key areas I'll be judging Verbeek on is the contracts he hands out to both the RFAs and any UFA adds. Then what he does with the defense corp. The defense MUST be better.

Well, my two esteemed brethren have done a brilliant job discussing this subject. I couldn't have done any better, despite my VERY high opinion of my own writing, so I'll just say this trade seems at best premature.

Fair enough. I still think that IF the FO feels like this is a good offer and that Olausson is a guy they want then they should take it. The Avs core floundered together and got stronger because of it. I don't think it's a big setback to not have a guy for half a season, as they'll eventually need to find their way without him anyway. That's just my opinion though, and obviously I don't know the team dynamics all thar well.

See @Cabbie91's construction at https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/4155797 and imagine our team without Adam Henrique on it. I think that you'll find it instructive. And if Rico wants to re-up for a couple of seasons after his contract expires, I think that we might like to keep him on.

It leaves a hole for sure, but I could easily see the Ducks signing someone like Domi, Erod, Barbashev, etc.

You can have Rico back after next season too

I forgot about Nyquist. Could be a good valu-sign

No more of Newhook at 2C he looked completely lost this year and even failed when he was on the 3rd and 4th line. Im sure he will be packaged with a defender to bring in a real 2 Center.

I understand the sentiment, but he's likely important to the team's future. He needs to be developed toward that role, and this lineup also spreads skill in the middle six. But that's why I also have Toews and Henrique here. If Newhook doesn't take a step forward, he can be moved down and a guy like Toews or Nyquist moved up.

In terms of looking lost, I disagree. He was not put in a great position being in a revolving bottom six with guys lacking offensive skill. Yet he finished with higher goals per 60 than Lehkonen, Compher, Rodrigues, and Nichushkin and higher points per 60 than both Compher and Rodrigues. This indicates he could be a breakout candidate if given more minutes and played with better linemates.

It's obviously not a perfect predictor, but it at the very least says to me that you put the kid with guys who can produce and see what happens. You definitely don't rush to trade him, as it could end up being a very regrettable move.

Quint Byfield has looked lost at times. Alex LaFreniere and Kappo Kakko haven't set the world on fire yet. Look how long it took Tage Thompson to develop. Sometimes, you have to have patience with prospects.

Tage and Necas are the two guys I point to at the moment when preaching patience. Vilardi, Mittelstadt and Kotkaniemi are throwing their hat in that ring too.

24 years old seems to be about the line. If guys haven't shown something by then, it's highly unlikely they'll reach their potential. Newhook just turned 22, so he has a couple more seasons in my book. With him and guys like him, you need to be patient and hope the talent adapts to the NHL and shines through eventually.