To all the people about to comment "why not claim him on waivers", its because the avs have to make a trade to make the cap work. Also I know this trade isnt realistic but it would kinda make sense. gives 2 vets with no trade value and under contract next year a fresh start and i think there is a decent chance kuznetsov plays better on a good avs team. I am not sure if i got the pick right tho idk hwo much the caps would want for that retention

Definitive no for the Avs. Kuzy is not the guy. But even if they went here there is zero reason for them to be adding a pick to this deal.

Caps say no take backs!!!

as an avs fan I dont think the avs do this, but this trade is more based on the fact that people keep saying mcfarland liks guys with term and is gonna go off board. that being said I wasnt sure if the caps would demand compensation for the retention. and I dont think swapping kuzy for ryjo makes the avs worse.

It sounds like there’s a lot more to the Kuznetsov situation that just poor play on the ice. I would stay far away if I were Colorado.

This is far too risky a move for the Avs. They might go off-board but it won't be something like this.

lol u mean cuz he does coke? avs clearly dont care or they would have dumped guys like nichuskin and girard if off ice substance abuse issues were a turn off

You don't get compensated for retention on a guy who is overpaid and still will be after eating half his salary. It's why Colorado got Johansen for free.

A straight swap makes some sense. I have thrown it out there in the past. Maybe it can he plan d or e or whatever. It's certainly not plan a though, and there should be no add from the Avs for the retention.

yeah i figured the pick would be too much but i dont think its crazy to think kuzy does more than ryjo. At least kuznetsov doesn't have ryjo's injuy history

good thing im not the GM
also anus mcleod is a great name XD

Not exclusively. Articles have cited effort and attitude issues, which is what I would be most concerned about. The alleged drug problem has been well documented dating back to 2019 after their cup win. He’s been suspended by both the Capitals and the IIHF, which I think points to the severity of the issues; something that hasn’t happened to Nichushkin or Girard.

The numbers tell you everything - Washington is eating $6.65M buried salary next year OR buying him out at $3.8M & $2M respectively each of the next two seasons, to NOT be on their NHL roster. Full retention would be less of a cap hit than the buried salary, and almost equal to the buyout figure next year (before the additional $2M penalty in 25-26). Kuznetsov has been asking for a trade for the last two seasons. If there were teams interested, it would have happened by now.

lol the suspensions only happened cuz the pics ended up on social media. As for the effort issues I think those are overblown by the media. Just an excuse for them to blame kuzy for the fact that the caps have been a declining team. I doubt he stays in the ahl for more than a week or two unless he plays like **** for the bears. Wouldn't suprise me if all he needs is a change of scenery

Absolutely not from the Avs and no way they're adding to RyJo in this scenario.

Caps had a chance to put him in the AHL for a short-term conditioning stint coming back from player assistance without waiving him, and they chose to waive him anyway. I would be surprised if this was a short term decision. Hershey doesn’t play until Friday night, so it doesn’t matter for this TDL anyway.

I also don’t think any GM wants to wear the badge of “highest salary in the AHL” just to make one guy a scapegoat. Their winning % this year is slightly better without him in the lineup (.559) than with him (.535), and their power play is much better without him (28% v 15%).

I hope he figures it out. He’s a fun player to watch when he’s right. But in my opinion the risk is way too great right now for Colorado, or any other team, to take that chance. And the series of events so far says the same.

you can make your jokes about his substance abuse issues but I watch every Caps game. Kuzy's talent is still there, the consistent effort is not. I believe a lot of that is because he has been unhappy for a while and has felt he needed a change (even so he was still considered to be loved by his teammates).
I would bet if you put him on a contending team you would see a dominate player come playoff time. And because he has one more year I actually don't think the risk is that high on this move if you're getting him at 50% off. plus the reward could be huge - an elite Center for two cup runs..
The guy LOVES hockey and is always been a player who shines when the lights are brightest