Good god no way COL does that.

Mittlestadt is the new Monahan among the CF crowd

4 mil cap dump 60 point center mainly at 5v5 for long term a 1b goalie and depth defenseman. I’m valuing mittelstadt higher than byram as he’s not exactly lit up the world since his cup run but he’s only 22 the gms could disagree and know more than me

Come on mittelstadt is way superior to Monahan. Speed young and on pace for back to back 60 point seasons. Hes dominated 5v5 as we need no help on the pp. 33 even strength points in 46 games

I agree with that but it's the fact that it's being proposed over and over in spite of the squeeze not being worth the juice for the Avs. I can't see them being interested in a guy that they're going to have to pay $6-7M and give up a lot to get.

We’d be opening up more cap space than needed to re-sign him though. I think even without byram this top 4 is Stanley cup caliber but without a 2c I struggle to see us winning a cup

Just what Buffalo needs, another left handed top 2/top 4 OFD.

Josh Manson in the top 4 doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me

He’s been in the top 4 all year has played really well minus stupid ass penalties and was top 4 when we won the cup. Gotta disagree with ya there

First he has never had 60 his high is 59 I know it’s being petty but it’s the truth, he’s never had a full season with a positive xGD and you never never trade a stud young d who has dominated at the highest level for a guy that you HOPE can be a 2c because I tell you what I roll Colton at 2c and keep Byram all day long before I trade Byram for a prayer. And the Avs should be far more interested in getting a goalie than a 2C because just rolling Colton at 2c they are the 2nd highest scoring team in the league with some of the worst goal tending and you can argue they have been out scoring their problems.

He hasn’t been in the top 4 all year he is clearly the #5 dman in TOI both Byram and Girard average almost 2 minutes more per game.

No, he hasn't; Avs don't play pairs. Go look at ATOI; he gets 3rd pair minutes. I mean, he's getting more minutes on average with the injuries and Girard being out for a month but when everyone is healthy, he plays 3rd pair minutes. He is definitely not a top 4 D on a fast-paced team. That being said, you could slide Malinski up to top 4 if Bednar trusts him enough in that role.

Also, I do wonder if Kovalenko shows he can be as good as Lehkonen if that makes Lehky expendable. They could get a good return for him and it would save a lot of space to improve at 2C. But, they still have to re-up Rants soon and would need to fill some important holes. Lots of important decisions to make regardless.

You’re correct I was mistaken but he has been top 4 since Girard and byram got their injuries and he’s thrived. He’s been money most nights in this stretch and he’s on pace for 30 points in a full 82 while being good defensively and has tons of hits. I personally feel Colton as 2C isn’t the move as we’ve seen his crazy chemistry with Wood and LOC and think we are clearly best with that line as the energy 3rd line. We’ve gotta have 3 dominant lines in the playoffs and there would still be cap room to add a rental defenseman if needed

What goalie is out there that’s really a meaningful upgrade for the starter? He has a bad expected goal differential on a bad team that’s not really significant. Middelstadt the way he’s played isn’t a hope to be 2C he’d be the 2C for this year plus 8 for sure. I don’t see a meaningful upgrade at goaltending in season. Luukonen has been solid this season as well for a backup option

And yet, u made the dumb comment anyways
Mitts also on pace for over 70pts this season
U sound ridiculous dude
But don’t worry
The Sabres are NOT trading Mitts anyways

And this deal doesn’t even make sense for us
Sabres EASILY decline

"Thrived" is a stretch; he's been serviceable but he takes dumb penalties and hits are grossly overrated anyhow; plenty of D are effective without a lot of hits. d

I'd say the defensive play has been pretty bad in front of Georgie and he's also playing way too much but their other options aren't good, either. Finding a good backup is a priority but it will help when Bo, Lehky and Nuke come back.

Georgie has also been good for 1 or 2 softies every single game for a while. The avs aren’t gonna be perfect defensively all the time and will allow goals but the softies are absolute back breakers