Colorado Avalanche Free Agency Cheat Sheet
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jun 29, 2009 8:42 AM MDT
in NHL News
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PrintI hope everyone has had a chance to recover from the draft weekend, because free agency starts on Wednesday. As usual, it will be a crazy day (amazing how those multimillion dollar deals get pulled off in a matter of hours, isn't it *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*?) although I don't expect the Avalanche to be tremendously busy. Here's a glance at where the Avalanche stand heading into free agency.
Key Pending UFAs (with last year cap hit): Joe Sakic ($6m), Tyler Arnason ($1.7m), Ian Laperriere ($1.2m), Ben Guite ($475k) Daniel Tjarnqvist ($750k), Andrew Raycroft ($800k)
Key Pending RFAs (with minimum QO): David Jones ($605k), Cody McCormick ($574k), Kyle Cumiskey ($607k), Peter Budaj ($840k)
Salary Cap Room: $11.45 million
Key Needs: The Avalanche need a quality, veteran goalie and a top-6 forward (or 6).
Potential Targets: Dwayne Roloson, Martin Biron, Manny Fernandez, Ty Conklin, Nik Antropov, Mike Knuble
What Our Rivals Want: Flames, Wild, Oilers, Canucks
Joe Sakic has reportedly already informed the team of his upcoming decision, but that won't be announced at this time (super). Ben Guite is the only other UFA who could return. Tyler Arnason, Andrew Raycroft and Ian Laperriere are as good as gone (best of luck wherever you go, Lappy) and Daniel Tjarnqvist has already bolted for Russia.
The Avalanche will probably not be big spenders in the market this year, but they do need to acquire a goaltender. While they need a scoring forward as well, I think they are worried about their cap health (and financial bottom line) and won't take on another sizeable contract unless they find a way to move Ryan Smyth or Scott Hannan. Figure the Avs to add their goalie on Wednesday and perhaps a couple of depth players, but that's about it.
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By which you mean we don’t give him more than the 5mil he already is reported to be wanting?
Or do you actually expect us to try and get him to sign for less…
MHH: Like the Avs organization, we’ve now officially lost our minds.
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jun 29, 2009 10:54 AM MDT up reply actions
Yeah
Biron is ok, but I think he’s going to be too much money for his level of play.
I’d rather go with Anderson out of Florida, Or even Niittyymakii (even if i’d have to learn how to spell it). I always thought Niittyy got a lbit of a raw deal in Philly, and can be a solid #1 for cheap.
by Jibblescribbits on Jun 29, 2009 11:00 AM MDT up reply actions
Agreed,
Avs need to drive some hard bargins. I don’t think Biron has that many options, so should be able to bring him down off that $5M crap.
by From the Point on Jun 29, 2009 11:08 AM MDT up reply actions
I'm curious
I’ve read a couple articles out of Philly about Niittymaki that mentioned chronic or at least recurring hip injury, but I couldn’t find any solid sources to link on that today.
Anybody know the skinny on this?
One down, three to go
by FiveJeffFingerDiscount on Jun 29, 2009 11:13 AM MDT up reply actions
ive heard the same, and im leery of nitty for that reason. If there’s one thing I don’t want, it’s an injury riddled goalie for UFA money.
I don’t want to debate goalies too much, or I’ll completely foreshadow my Free Agency post for tomorrow.
by Jibblescribbits on Jun 29, 2009 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions
I think the goalie UFA pool is pretty wide this year, so I doubt Biron’s going to get the $5m he wants. And for that matter, I don’t think the Avs are looking to sign any goalie to a 5-year deal like he’s supposedly looking for.
I’ve almost come around to the idea of having Conkblock around on a one year deal if we’re not going to contend anyway.
One down, three to go
by FiveJeffFingerDiscount on Jun 29, 2009 11:11 AM MDT reply actions
To my knowledge, if the Avs signed Conklin, he would become the first ever player to have spent time with both the Avs and the Red Wings during his career. Anyone can fact check my ass if they want, and I’ll gladly stand corrected if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure.
Go Avs! Let's get some goals!
Uwe Krupp
Played with Nordiques/Avs 1994-1998
Played with Detroit in 1998-99 (22 games) and 2001-02 (8 games)
MHH: Like the Avs organization, we’ve now officially lost our minds.
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jun 29, 2009 1:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Ah ha! So there was one. Well, Conk will be Number Two, which, depending on the year, is an appropriate designation for him.
Go Avs! Let's get some goals!
Jim Cummins
Good luck finding his career stats but he was a wing at the beginning and an Av at the end.
Played 8 games over two seasons with Detroit in 1991-92 (1game) and in 1992-93 (7 games) 0G, 2A, 85Pims
Played 55 games with the Avs in 2003-04 – 1G, 2A, 147Pims
MHH: Like the Avs organization, we’ve now officially lost our minds.
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jun 29, 2009 7:45 PM MDT up reply actions
Another goaltender option
Re-sign Raycroft and go for that number one pick in the draft next year?
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Jun 29, 2009 11:23 AM MDT reply actions
I see this:
Tyler Arnason ($1.7m), Ian Laperriere ($1.2m)
And still wonder why we can’t give Lappy Arnason’s old salary and keep him around.
2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Dry Humping Mediocrity
I think it’s because of people who got raises during this year, like Paul Stasny, who is costing us roughly 3.88 Tyler Arnasons. I don’t think there’s enough Tyler Arnasons left to give out.
One down, three to go
by FiveJeffFingerDiscount on Jun 29, 2009 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions
But Stastny is basically getting Joe Sakic’s money (considering Joe retires, or take a big discount).
So unless Joe comes back, their is no big change there….
MHH: Like the Avs organization, we’ve now officially lost our minds.
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
by Americanario on Jun 29, 2009 1:09 PM MDT up reply actions
I saw that Tkachuk resigned for 2.15 for one year, the avs, if they resign sakic should do something close to that, maybe 2.5…
I'm Mr. Positive
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jun 29, 2009 5:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Men with heart must be sent packing!
For Reference see Bruno. For that reason Porn-stache may be gone too.
by From the Point on Jun 29, 2009 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions
Mirtle quote
Colorado could sign a decent veteran option like Biron or Conklin potentially for between $1-million and $2.5-million and spend the rest of their cap space elsewhere.
yeah, I think that’s on the low side. but it’s true – there won’t exactly be a line for a lot of these guys and the Avs may indeed have a chance to pick up a relative bargain here.
Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jun 29, 2009 12:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Nah, product of the system…held the fort OK. But really outside of holding serve with Weekes this year while Marty was out, how much has Scotty played? Could he pick up full time duties? Or even split with Budaj? I just don’t see it for some reason (though I have often been, and could still be wrong)
disagree
you could call it riding a hot streak, but his numbers were around 2.4 GAA and .92 save percentage. That’s almost identical to Brodeur’s 31 games this year and is about 30 shots a game (I think…)
I don’t think he pulled a tim thomas and suddenly (& permanently) became amazing, but credit where it’s due…
I just want Drury back... I recognize the Drury->Morris->Statsny chain, and I stick with the statement.
Playing behind a competent D, though
Which he wouldn’t be in Colorado.
I think he could handle a 60/40 split with Boods. And, I guess you have you ask yourself whether, if we’re not pressing for a playoff spot next season (and realistically, are we?), do we even need a better goalie than Clem?
by eltharion_doa on Jun 29, 2009 10:03 PM MDT up reply actions
Ehh
he played well. But there’s a reason he’s been a career minor leaguer. I think he’s probably played the best hockey of his life last season.
by Jibblescribbits on Jun 29, 2009 11:03 PM MDT up reply actions
I’m really high on Craig Anderson. Won’t cost as much as Biron (one would hope), and is a better goalie IMO.
Josh Harding
He’ll be available… won’t he? He’s got to be considered the best “prospect-who-could-help-now” behind Gustavsson. Funny how our new management team’s priorities revolve around un-doing the Smyth, Hannan, Tucker, and Tanguay moves of the previous administration.
I’d also add Zherdev to our want list. He’s like Svatos, and if we don’t trade Svatos, it would be good to keep another one of him around for spare parts.
If the Avs aren’t able to pick someone up in Free agency, they will almost have to go after him or Pavelec I would think
by Jibblescribbits on Jun 29, 2009 2:06 PM MDT up reply actions
Alex Tanguay? He could come cheap after his last season. And he fits in with what management likes to do.
I'm Mr. Positive
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jun 29, 2009 5:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Tanguay left on bad terms with the organization. He wanted to stay an Av and the Avs didn’t want to keep him (arbitration issues?). He was always miserable in Calgary but did reasonably well with Montreal aside from the injuries. I don’t think the Avs would take him back.
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
Welp, looks like Cody McCormick can be <a href=“http:// ”http://www.milehighhockey.com/2009/6/29/929877/cody-mccormick-not-given" target="_blank">http://www.milehighhockey.com/2009/6/29/929877/cody-mccormick-not-given" target="new">moved from the RFA list to the UFA list:
Also, I just realized that Lawrence Nycholat is missing from the UFA list. I think that everyone forgot about him already:)
by c0nquistad0rian on Jun 29, 2009 6:19 PM MDT reply actions
Harding Qualified
No big surprise that the Wild have made a qualifying offer to Harding.
Wild make qualifying offers to Harding, five others
MHH: Like the Avs organization, we’ve now officially lost our minds.
I'm The Canary - but I'm not cute nor cuddly, and I don't sing.
Practically a footnote in the Budaj story in today’s Denver Post, but the Avs will not offer contracts to the following players:
- Guite (really?)
- Arnason (hopefully he notices and doesn’t just show up at camp in September)
- Raycroft
- Lappy
One down, three to go
by FiveJeffFingerDiscount on Jun 30, 2009 6:31 AM MDT reply actions
Guite
Yeah, I just saw that footnote as well. I had a feeling about that. I don’t know why you wouldn’t sign that guy for cheap…he plays hard.
Maybe tomorrow the Avs sign a goalie and thats it. Everyone else is called up!
by From the Point on Jun 30, 2009 7:31 AM MDT up reply actions
I don’t understand this one either. He’s a cheap decent centerman who knows his role and plays it well.
by Jibblescribbits on Jun 30, 2009 8:39 AM MDT up reply actions
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