After seeing what the peeps over at Pension Plan Puppets have going, I figured I'll see what I can do with the Avalanche if I was GM for the off-season.
About all salary numbers are from NHLNumbers, so blame them if the numbers are off. I also used players' salary from last year where available since I know I'm terrible at negotiating.
Another thing I won't attempt are trades, since I suck at speculating them. I have a terrible time even doing trades in any sports video game.
Forwards
Smyth ($6.5) / Stastny ($6.60) / Hejduk ($4.00)
Wolski ($3.10) / Duchene ($1.25) / Svatos ($2.35)
Galiardi ($0.59) / Hensick ($0.85) / Stewart ($0.85)
McLeod ($0.54) / Guite ($0.50) / Tucker ($2.30)
Extras:
McCormick ($0.53), Jones ($0.55)
AHL: Dupuis, Durno, Hendricks, Smith, Boulerice, Stoa (Many of these guys could crack the roster)
Trade Bait:
Tucker - Either for a bag of pucks, or bought out if PlayItAgain Sports doesn't want him.
Svatos - If he can be packaged off somewhere with another player for some younger guys.
Let Go:
Arnason - No shit, Sherlock.
Willsie - I'm not too fond of the time we had with him.
Laperriere - No room unfortunately, but could be signed if Tucker is bought out.
Sakic - I don't see how he can fit in unless it's at a vastly reduced price.
Forward Total: $29.43 M, including McC and Jones.
~$28.50 M, I think with Tucker being bought out.
Comments: I'm really sad Sakic and Lappy don't seem to fit in.
Also, it's pretty much the same team as last year, with the exception of Duchene. I really think he's capable of breaking into the NHL next year, especially if this is his competion.
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Defence
Hannan ($4.50) / Liles ($4.13)
Foote ($3.25) / [Place an extra guy here]
Clark ($3.50) / Salei ($3.28)
Extras:
Cumiskey ($0.50), MacKenzie ($0.48), Vernace ($0.50)
I'd place the younger guys with Footer since he can provide some vet knowledge for them.
AHL: Macias, Peltier
Trade Bait:
Clark - Maybe packaged with Svats.
Salei - Same as Clark.
Let Go:
O'Neill - Dunno about him, plus we have plenty of potential D.
Nycholat - Maybe to fill in alongside Foote, but not much cap space for that.
Defence Total: $20.14 M, including the three extras
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Goalies
Budaj ($0.8)
Listed by preference:
Gustavsson (~$2.00)* My guess for his contract
Niittymaki ($1.50)
Labarbera ($0.85)
AHL: Weiman, Bacashihua
Let Go:
Raycroft - No-brainer.
Goalies Total: $2.80 M with Gustav
$2.30 M with Niittymaki
$1.65 M with Labarbera
Comments: Even if there's some fairly capable pickings in the FA market, there's not much cap room to jam in a high-priced goalie. I'd say $2 - 2.5 mil is as high as we can go.
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Max Grand Total: $52.37 M, with Tucker still here, and Gustav signed.
Preferred Grand Total: $51.40, that's with Tucker bought out and Gustav brought in.
That would leave me with a bit of wiggle room depending on salary increases and next year's cap. I've read somewhere it's expected around $55 M.
Now feel free to rip my list apart.