A 5pt increase in production isn’t worth a 1st rd pick, and I don’t get the obsession of wanting to move Colton out of the 3C spot him and Wood have been great together and Pairing RyJo with Wood and LOC two guys who fly wouldn’t be good.

Did Hayes even play last night? Didn't notice him at all. Hayes is not a fit for the current Avs and Frank is a lazy reporter, even worse for western teams. Sure the Avs used to have interest in Hayes but those days are gone.

Hayes is probably the blues 4th best forward but I would do this in a heartbeat.

If a 1st is on the table for Hayes I don’t see why the Blues wouldn’t move him although we lack some center depth.

Yeah he did but he sucks now

We're not giving a first for that guy

Not necessary advocating to move Colton out of 3C long-term. I like him there too. At the same time, I’m not sure who else you’d move up the lineup with Lehkonen out…

A large part of the value of this deal comes from the remaining contract. He’s on pace for 21 goals & 45 points, at a cap hit under $2M for this year and the next two (until his age 33 season). You’re paying in large part for the retention/contract value.

I would also point to Hayes’s even-strength production compared to Johansen’s:
Hayes: 9G 6A 15P (100% goals & 79% points at ES)
Johansen: 7G 2A 9P (64% goals & points at ES)
Not to mention Johansen’s first 4 goals & 5 points came in Colorado’s first six games, and all but one goal was on the power play. You have to have success at even strength to win in the playoffs. I’m not necessarily advocating that Hayes would be the perfect fit. But the difference between he and Johansen is more than the 5 points you see on the surface.

Kevin Hayes last night in a 2-1 game: 15:30 TOI, 2 shots on goal (5 attempts), 1 takeaway, 5 of 9 in the faceoff circle. Not spectacular, but not invisible either.

Obviously Frank is a Philly guy so he’s going to have more ins with east coast teams, but I think most would agree that he’s one of the four or five most connected national insiders. Also don’t think Colorado’s interest in a player that’s spanned his entire ten-year career, and was as recent as this summer, would wain in a matter of two months. Calling a writer “lazy” when you don’t like what they report is a “lazy” take.

Never said I didn't like what he has to offer but, Frank is a lazy reporter. He gets my views but he is a very lazy, reports off of his gut feeling, and is quick to get something out without really contemplating how a fit would work. The wain from Hayes isnt a few month fall off, its years and 2 or 3 moves for Hayes. Please provide me some well thought out connection for Hayes and the Avs from this summer(as you allege). It was mainly just Frank or CF users. It was a previous head office who originally wanted him.

Philosophy and control of decisions is what cause a change in management, bud. Again, please present something well thought out, not just a hmm wonder if. I like how the source of the score article is Frank.

1. MacFarland was at the Blue the Star game on Wednesday, Dec. 27th (according to your best pal Frank)
2. Stars aren’t in a position to sell, so he’s probably looking at the Blue.
3. Colorado is known to be in the market for a 2nd line center as Ryan Johansen isn’t working.
4. St. Louis probably isn’t trading Robert Thomas who’s in year five be of an eight year extension, or Brayden Schenn who was named captain over the summer.
5. Colorado has previous ties to Kevin Hayes, the only other center in St. Louis’s top nine.

Let me know if you need a picture book instead.

Again - I’m not advocating that this would be a good trade for the avalanche. Simply laying out what was reported by a credible writer.

You're so angry, its funny. I would have guessed he's your best pal for the way you're offended by my opinion of his work. It's cool to fanboy..
1. GM's scout other teams often, he could just like hockey, or he could be checking in on two teams in his division. The Avs and Stars have made recent trades.
2. GM's make moves to improve their team, not every move is a selling.
3. 2nd line center isn't the only position they're looking to improve. Neither team has a 2c available.
4. Avs couldn't afford one or justify the other.
5. Previous, sure. Never argued that.

I wonder if the blues would be willing to use a retention slot for 3 years when the documented cost is a 6th.

A picture book would offer more in-depth writing than Frank. I appreciate the offer

Not angry. Just think it’s pretty silly when the literal armchair GMs pretend to know more than those who are paid to share their inside knowledge with us fans. I’ll remind you a third time that I’m not advocating one way or the other - simply laying out what was reported.

Have a good night kid.

Hayes hasn’t been bad here. Don’t see any reasoning for locking up a retention slot to essentially dump him.

Most likely it’s a central team scouting two central teams not for the purpose of transactions.