8x8 for a guy who will be 30 before it starts? Seems like a questionable idea with all the other long term deals on the books and rantanen, Byram and georgiev on expiring deals

Dallas will gladly listen on offers to acquire a semi-decent RD.

I think if the Avs are determined to re-sign Toews and he is determined to stay and wants that long-term deal, he's going to have to come come off a high AAV. I can't see anyone giving him more than 6 years in UFA due to his age and $9M is probably the max anyone is going to go; that's $54M total. Over 7 years, that's comes down to $7.71M; over 8 years, that's $6.75M per. If he gives a bit of a hometown discount (leaves some money on the table in order to stay put), $6.5Mx8 or $7.5Mx7 feels about right. I still feel pretty strongly that the Avs will need that money to re-sign Mikko, Bo and Cale plus improve the forward group in the future so handing that much to a 30+ y/o D-man is super risky.

Plus Toews wants to stay in Colorado, so I'm sure he'd be willing to bend a little bit

Yes, he said what a lot of pending UFA's say but it doesn't mean anything until pen hits paper. I do think there is probably some wiggle room there on his end while there really isn't on the Avs end. They're likely going to do what they did with Kadri and Gru and Bura: this is the max offer, take it or leave it. Beyond that, there are too many variables to account for but we do know that the Avs are not afraid to let guys walk to UFA if they can't make things work within their predetermined cap structure.

I agree with this solution, out with Manson and get Toews to stay with term. For sure other teams will be interested of Toews for a higher cap, but we got the 8th year in hand. Of course there are risks with 8 years for a guy above 30. But Toews seem really professional and takes care of his body as well as not playing a punishing style of play. Lets hope something similar to this will work! Unfortunately Drouin is a one year and then leave regardless, bad play = no re-sign while good play = too expensive.

Johansen and Georgiev money can go to Mikko and Bo, Colton promoted to 2nd C and roll without a proper NHL-starter in goal could maybe work.

This is true. Kinda just saying that to help myself believe he'll actually resign

Seems like a really bad idea to not have a legit NHL starter in goal.

Like yae, preferably a proper NHL-starter in goal is what you want. But at the expense of Mikko or Bo? Who makes the most impact during a season, goalies are always gonna be coinflips with 1 mill goalkeepers outplaying 5 mills. Rather roll the dice on a unproven cheap goalie than lose Mikko or Bo imo.