5,5M for Ross Colton sounds too much. And that would also leave Flyers with 1 retention slot for next 2 years.

Have to remember it was Colton's RFA rights for that 37th pick as a guy who'd played primarily wing, not a signed Colton after (what looks likely to be) a career year whilst playing C and also have to factor in his being 2 years younger than Laughton. The Avs probably have to consider it though if it comes with a sweetener.

I'd say the sweetener is the retention and I'd go for it if Colton is the odd man out.

Maybe I'm being greedy but I would count the drop from Colton to Laughton as worth more regardless of the retention.

This makes no sense

why exactly? pretty big upgrade on laughton and retention is done before michkov's rookie year so has no 'important' cap implications



yea it is an extra retention slot, but other than ristolainen there isn't a player on the roster who would be traded with retention (and there's no guarantee that happens) so it's not a major concern imo. atkinson/johansen are buyout candidates, konecny is basically locked in to getting an extension on july 1, and no one else is really a trade candidate (unless it is for a larger asset in which case they would not be retaining)

drop from colton to laughton is definitely more than the value of the retention, but i don't think it's that much tbh. prob a 3rd/5th swap gets it done?

There is like zero reason to buyout Atkinson or Johansen just because we can, I'd rather use the retentions on Atkinson, Johansen or maybe even Hathaway at TDL, to get some return. I just don't see Ross Colton as a player we should be paying 5,5M and use a retention slot. And especially knowing Avs cap situation, you should just try to abuse it.

No matter what these Avs fans are saying, both are 3rd liners with similar stats, playing about the same time on 2nd PP, the difference is that Laughton is also playing PK, and been part of one of the best PKs this season. And one is playing in top team, other not so much. You can figure which one is which.

Definitely should not be giving any sweeteners for this, but rather get something if we're about to retain on Laughton. Even if Colton is somewhat better 5v5 player.

But just my opinion.

johansen was shopped around at the deadline with full retention, i know it's harder to move money in season but no one wants him (not even considering his injury). atkinson would cost more and is a worse player, so there would be even fewer intrigue. they get bought out if CHI/SJ/ARZ/whoever does not want them to reach the floor

laughton hasn't even been a 3rd liner this year, while colton has been a fringe 2nd liner. ignoring cap situations, sweeteners are needed. colton has been a net neutral at worst basically everywhere he plays, laughton hasn't even been a significant positive on the pk (that goes to couturier, poehling, konecny, cates) and has been atrocious on the powerplay. colton is the better player across the board

i don't disagree that it is not the most ideal situation in terms of a money in/out perspective, but it is an interesting option to acquire a great 3C for the future. if the retention gets it done without having to give up other big assets, i think i do it 10 times out of 10

I don’t see the big difference between the two personally and Colton is playing with better players

Yeah something akin to a draft pick swap or a prospect perhaps, maybe a guy the Flyers have given up on if the Avs like them as a reclamation project, as it seems to be an Avs thing. Nothing major.

Well I think nobody wanted Johansen because his contract is going for next season also, it's different story next TDL. Then if nobody wants them, they can walk next summer. Still no need to buy them out. We don't need that cap space.

Laughton leads the league with 7 short handed points and has played more on PK than Couturier, Konecny or Cates. Poehling has at least played on average 5 sec/game more than Laughton. And this atrocius player on the PP has as much PP points as Ross Colton with similar PP time. Colton is better in 5v5, but Laughton is one of the team leaders, assistant captain and really respected by the FO and Torts. They will only sell him if it's an offer they can't refuse, and this one clearly ain't one of those.

I'd just rather develop Cates to be the future 3C, than pay Ross Colton 5,5M. Personally I wouldn't even consider this kinda trade.

But still, just my opinion.

It’s thought provoking so kudos to you. @TJTwolf is right right about the value though, in a vacuum I’d like a guy with more speed at 3C but it’s worth talking about.

i won't deny for a second that laughton is less valuable than colton, just a matter of how much to add and how much the retention adds to laughton. but i do think that it is something that has value for both teams to do