FanPost

If I was GM for the offseason

 

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.

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