Canucks and Avs both pass easily

Canucks would be interested in Kovacevic, not for Podkolzin though.

Maybe...but Avs aren't going into the postseason with Posvetov/Annunen as backup, and Ryan Johansen is 4MM x 2, and playing on the 4th line. Evans is a cheap option who can play 4C at 1.7 x 2, and Allen's GSAA is positive in a bad environment, and is at least a known average 1B. Gets the Avs off of the Ryjo experiment. Kovacevic is under league average into next year, and will provide the Canucks (who have many UFA defensemen and need to resign EP and Hronek - not to mention Lindholm) with a stable 3RD. Podkolzin can't find a spot in the lineup currently 4 years after his draft.

Allen's cap hit doesn't work for the Avs, especially as they really can't take cap back in a Ryjo trade. Evans doesn't meet their biggest need and Ritchie has the look of a top end prospect that COL won't throw away on a deal like this. Easy no.

Counter proposal? Ryjo for a 6th if the Habs really want him.

I don't follow the Canucks but if they are still looking to compete next year, it is going to be very hard to replace Myers, Zadorov, Cole while still re-signing EP, FH. Not to say I disagree - this was more a "best case scenario" roster and in reviewing the Canucks situation it seemed like finding a serviceable RHD who is locked in below 800k would be very valuable.

Could see Ryjo fitting the Kent Hughes/Monahan mold - take a player, put him in a situation to succeed then sell high(er) or let the contract fall off if it doesn't work. Don't see them taking it on without getting another asset. Maybe Colorado like him? I have only watched 2-3 Avs games this year and he was not noticeable. I looked at his ice time and current placement in the lineup and figured it may be a contract COL would really want to move - maybe more likely in the offseason

Avs hang up immediately

Management is still quite high on Podkolzin and I expect him to be a big part of the team next year, similar to the how Hoglander was sent down last year and is a huge part this year.

No, COL doesn't like him. He's been nearly invisible. You're probably right that it takes something to move him, unfortunately. I keep holding out hope that a team in transition would take him for the rest of this season and next for some veteran presence. Given how bad of a fit he's been in COL's system, it's hard to judge whether he's completely washed up or would add some value in a different system. At this point, COL should be dumping him even if the return is "future considerations."

Curious for any Avs followers - how do you see them addressing the backup position? Don't see them trusting Posvetov/Annunen in the event of Giorgiev being injured, or hitting a bad stretch. As mentioned in an earlier post, I don't follow them closely so maybe they are high on them. I believe they are high on Annunen long term based on things I have read.

That is all true about the Avs, and it still doesn't change the fact that both Evans and Allen (even with that measly retention) cost too much for the Avs next season. The Avs do not have to trade with the Habs to solve their problems.

And Ritchie is 100% off the table. He was a top-10 prospect before his injury, and he's looking like a top-10 from last draft now. The Avs have plans for him.

Absolutely not from the Avs.

I think Avs are looking to add scoring first, goaltending help 2nd. I think they'd love to add a stronger backup G, but the heat is off a little bit if they can score more and tighten up on D.