Guest Writer: Avalanche Structure and Core

Decent write up, but D Pairings don't seem right to me, since Niskanen can play the Leftside (his offhand), and Hejda has had a strong chemistry with Barrie in the Past, I think you swap them around. You don't spend the money on a UFA like Nisk and have him taking 2nd pairing minutes. Wouldn't be shocked with a Holden Elliot pairing.

Johnson - Niskanen
Barrie - Hejda
Elliot - Holden

And your forward line is really off. You are missing Tanguay from the line up. Only way Hishon makes the line up based on existing contracts is if PAP gets moved or we don't resign one of ROR or Stastny

O'Reilly Duchene Parenteau
Landeskog Stastny MacKinnon
McGinn Mitchell Tanguay
McLeod Talbot Bordy
Cliche

I enjoyed reading this post but I have to agree that the forward lines are just wrong. If Stastny and Ror are back (lets assume) and there is a STRONG chance PA gets moved the lines look more like this:

Landeskog-Stastny-Mackinnon
ROR-Duchene-Tanguay
Mcginn-Hishon-Talbot/FA Pick up
McLeod-Mitchell-Bordy/FA Pick up

They need to pick up someone like Kulimen because lets be honest, Tanguay is fragile and there is a good chance he wont finish more then 60 games this upcoming season.

For D you would have to imagine they go hard after an actual top pair guy for EJ to let him be a true 2-way dman which he is. He has the talent to adapt and become a defensive lock down man when he is with a more offensive pair, but he needs to be able to shoot. I would love for the AVS to make a offer for someone like Larsson from NJ or Kulikov in FLA.

FA/Trade partner- EJ
Barrie-Hedja
Holden-Elliot/Guinen

Decent write up, but D Pairings don't seem right to me, since Niskanen can play the Leftside (his offhand), and Hejda has had a strong chemistry with Barrie in the Past, I think you swap them around. You don't spend the money on a UFA like Nisk and have him taking 2nd pairing minutes. Wouldn't be shocked with a Holden Elliot pairing.

Johnson - Niskanen
Barrie - Hejda
Elliot - Holden

And your forward line is really off. You are missing Tanguay from the line up. Only way Hishon makes the line up based on existing contracts is if PAP gets moved or we don't resign one of ROR or Stastny


O'Reilly Duchene Parenteau
Landeskog Stastny MacKinnon
McGinn Mitchell Tanguay
McLeod Talbot/Cliche Bordy
- DDM-Coga

Most certainly forgot Tanguay, off-season lag. The reason I have Hishon inked in was based on his performance in the playoffs, I see him as a #1 call up choice. His poise playing his first ever game in the playoffs was amazing. There were few times I thought he looked out of place but not too many. I cannot find a stat on it, but his faceoffs were unreal for never having played NHL level. I think he could make the jump to the 4th line at some point in the season.

As for Barrie and Hejda - Nis and Johnson - most certainly plausible. I was really looking into the stats of Niskanen though and I would like to see him breakout as a 2nd pair before a 1st pair Dman. He has only had two real solid seasons +/- wise and 3 numbers wise 2 coming in his first 2 or 8 seasons. If he established himself lets say mid-way to a year into his contract I could see him being worthy of 1st pair. 3 year contract 2.5 first year and boost the next two in hope that is what happens?

Thoughts on possibly a Dion Phaneuf or Brian Campbell?

I enjoyed reading this post but I have to agree that the forward lines are just wrong. If Stastny and Ror are back (lets assume) and there is a STRONG chance PA gets moved the lines look more like this:

Landeskog-Stastny-Mackinnon
ROR-Duchene-Tanguay
Mcginn-Hishon-Talbot/FA Pick up
McLeod-Mitchell-Bordy/FA Pick up

They need to pick up someone like Kulimen because lets be honest, Tanguay is fragile and there is a good chance he wont finish more then 60 games this upcoming season.

For D you would have to imagine they go hard after an actual top pair guy for EJ to let him be a true 2-way dman which he is. He has the talent to adapt and become a defensive lock down man when he is with a more offensive pair, but he needs to be able to shoot. I would love for the AVS to make a offer for someone like Larsson from NJ or Kulikov in FLA.

FA/Trade partner- EJ
Barrie-Hedja
Holden-Elliot/Guinen
- Eshames

PAP, Wilson, Elliot can all be moved in some sort of trade to get another Dman.
I agree have to get another guy besides Tangs, especially if you move PAP. But Kulimen might be too costly as a free agent and hes another Lefty. Need to add a RHS. I tossed out signing Mueller for cheap as he wants to come back to the NHL. I don't mind the idea of adding him again as depth if cheap enough.

I enjoyed reading this post but I have to agree that the forward lines are just wrong. If Stastny and Ror are back (lets assume) and there is a STRONG chance PA gets moved the lines look more like this:

Landeskog-Stastny-Mackinnon
ROR-Duchene-Tanguay
Mcginn-Hishon-Talbot/FA Pick up
McLeod-Mitchell-Bordy/FA Pick up

They need to pick up someone like Kulimen because lets be honest, Tanguay is fragile and there is a good chance he wont finish more then 60 games this upcoming season.

For D you would have to imagine they go hard after an actual top pair guy for EJ to let him be a true 2-way dman which he is. He has the talent to adapt and become a defensive lock down man when he is with a more offensive pair, but he needs to be able to shoot. I would love for the AVS to make a offer for someone like Larsson from NJ or Kulikov in FLA.

FA/Trade partner- EJ
Barrie-Hedja
Holden-Elliot/Guinen
- Eshames

Agreed - totally forgot about Tanguay, I mean he played less than 20?

Takes on an Jussi Jokinen, Heatly, Gaborik, Hemsky?

Most certainly forgot Tanguay, off-season lag. The reason I have Hishon inked in was based on his performance in the playoffs, I see him as a #1 call up choice. His poise playing his first ever game in the playoffs was amazing. There were few times I thought he looked out of place but not too many. I cannot find a stat on it, but his faceoffs were unreal for never having played NHL level. I think he could make the jump to the 4th line at some point in the season.

As for Barrie and Hejda - Nis and Johnson - most certainly plausible. I was really looking into the stats of Niskanen though and I would like to see him breakout as a 2nd pair before a 1st pair Dman. He has only had two real solid seasons +/- wise and 3 numbers wise 2 coming in his first 2 or 8 seasons. If he established himself lets say mid-way to a year into his contract I could see him being worthy of 1st pair. 3 year contract 2.5 first year and boost the next two in hope that is what happens?

Thoughts on possibly a Dion Phaneuf or Brian Campbell?
- ZzHockey

Campbell would be preferred, 2 years left in that contract, and I am sure florida would retained salary to be able to hit the floor for added value in a trade. But If we are going to part with pretty assets I would rather want to grab a young RFA dman like Kulikov. If I could pouch any under the radar RFA dman right now it would be Brenden Dillion from the Stars. He would be worth parting big assets for

Agreed - totally forgot about Tanguay, I mean he played less than 20?

Takes on an Jussi Jokinen, Heatly, Gaborik, Hemsky?
- ZzHockey

I would rather go with a guy like Setoguchi for 3rd line duties, maybe stretch out to 2nd line if you had to in case of injuries. Other guys might be too pricey as UFAs

Campbell would be preferred, 2 years left in that contract, and I am sure florida would retained salary to be able to hit the floor for added value in a trade. But If we are going to part with pretty assets I would rather want to grab a young RFA dman like Kulikov. If I could pouch any under the radar RFA dman right now it would be Brenden Dillion from the Stars. He would be worth parting big assets for
- DDM-Coga

Inner division trading would make that a rough choice via Dallas. I think Kulikov would be a great addition if we could get him, 23 and pretty promising I don't see him being an option over Campbell. I would assume if it was a trade that involved a Parenteau, Elliott or Wilson we would still want something else. Picks, prospects?

I would rather go with a guy like Setoguchi for 3rd line duties, maybe stretch out to 2nd line if you had to in case of injuries. Other guys might be too pricey as UFAs
- DDM-Coga

Would be good to add an Av killer to the line up to no longer kill. Wise choice, smart for 3rd line options, does he want to play 3rd line though? I mean who wouldn't want to play at all on a team building for a championship run in the next few years or so Id hope.

Inner division trading would make that a rough choice via Dallas. I think Kulikov would be a great addition if we could get him, 23 and pretty promising I don't see him being an option over Campbell. I would assume if it was a trade that involved a Parenteau, Elliott or Wilson we would still want something else. Picks, prospects?
- ZzHockey

Depending on how the draft unfolds, moving the 1st rounder if Florida is itching to get back into the 1st round could make it worth it. PAP, Elliot, and the 1st can be packaged together to make a big run at a promising dman.

Kulikov deal before was McGinn and a 3rd, but we pulled out of it bc they wanted Elliot too. Do I wonder if we just did 1st and Elliot if that could get the job done

PAP, Wilson, Elliot can all be moved in some sort of trade to get another Dman.
I agree have to get another guy besides Tangs, especially if you move PAP. But Kulimen might be too costly as a free agent and hes another Lefty. Need to add a RHS. I tossed out signing Mueller for cheap as he wants to come back to the NHL. I don't mind the idea of adding him again as depth if cheap enough.
- DDM-Coga

I was really surprised Wilson wasn't bought out. Not too many teams would want to add a 2.25mil 6/depth dman who is really injury prone. I think he is buried in the AHL next year. I just think we need someone like Kulimen or even Milan Michalek to play with Dutch. I love Tanguay and what he brings and the leadership he possesses, but you cant count on him being there the entire season. I mean heck I would even look at Hemsky(not a huge fan of this move but who knows). I do think our 3rd line needs some retooling. Mitchell needs to be put on the 4th, maybe someone will agree when I say he is a bit of a puck hog but excellent in the defensive end. Get someone like Bourque and Mcginn on the side of Hishon, you no longer have to worry about Hishon's size and that could be a deadly 3rd line. 4th line is McLeod-Mitchell-Talbot which is an amazing 4th, but if you look at the top teams, those are they type of lines they roll with.

I think you package PA and Elliot and next years 4th/5th, Florida would have a hard time saying no.

Would be good to add an Av killer to the line up to no longer kill. Wise choice, smart for 3rd line options, does he want to play 3rd line though? I mean who wouldn't want to play at all on a team building for a championship run in the next few years or so Id hope.
- ZzHockey

Guy can move up and down the Top 9 if you have LW C combos of ROR/Duchene, Landy/Stastny, McGinn/MacKinnon. Cant see it being a bad thing

Depending on how the draft unfolds, moving the 1st rounder if Florida is itching to get back into the 1st round could make it worth it. PAP, Elliot, and the 1st can be packaged together to make a big run at a promising dman.

Kulikov deal before was McGinn and a 3rd, but we pulled out of it bc they wanted Elliot too. Do I wonder if we just did 1st and Elliot if that could get the job done
- DDM-Coga

I know Roy has already stated that he wants Elliott playing at some point next season. If Roy is interested in keeping him, I wonder if we would trade him. I think we could have at least offered another young prospect, but not many are Barrie style other than Elliott. Will be interesting to see how it continues to unfold. If that was all they were originally wanting for the kid then we should make another run. However, I would hate to see Elliott turn out to be Shattenkirk deal. Pure talent for a fallen #1 pick. Not to take away from Johnson's season, he just needs to keep building but if I had it to do again I would have keep Shatty. Scared we trade Elliott and he becomes a monster.

Depending on how the draft unfolds, moving the 1st rounder if Florida is itching to get back into the 1st round could make it worth it. PAP, Elliot, and the 1st can be packaged together to make a big run at a promising dman.

Kulikov deal before was McGinn and a 3rd, but we pulled out of it bc they wanted Elliot too. Do I wonder if we just did 1st and Elliot if that could get the job done
- DDM-Coga

If and when they take Ekblad it is almost certain that they are moving at least one of them. I just think the AVS don't need another D project, they need a D man who is ready to step into a top 2 pairing right now and thrive there. I think we look at sending PA and Elliot to Buffalo for Ehrhoff as a possibility.

I know Roy has already stated that he wants Elliott playing at some point next season. If Roy is interested in keeping him, I wonder if we would trade him. I think we could have at least offered another young prospect, but not many are Barrie style other than Elliott. Will be interesting to see how it continues to unfold. If that was all they were originally wanting for the kid then we should make another run. However, I would hate to see Elliott turn out to be Shattenkirk deal. Pure talent for a fallen #1 pick. Not to take away from Johnson's season, he just needs to keep building but if I had it to do again I would have keep Shatty. Scared we trade Elliott and he becomes a monster.
- ZzHockey

We have 2 options with Elliot, eithe he makes the team to start the year or he is traded. He is no longer excempt from the waiver wire to be sent down to the monsters. Surely someone would pick him up on waivers if he didn't make the team out of camp.

If the right deal comes a long I think we have to take it. He can't be a healthy scratch d man to start the season. So I have him penciled in on the 3rd pairing for now

If and when they take Ekblad it is almost certain that they are moving at least one of them. I just think the AVS don't need another D project, they need a D man who is ready to step into a top 2 pairing right now and thrive there. I think we look at sending PA and Elliot to Buffalo for Ehrhoff as a possibility.
- Eshames

If you want a move established guy, I say send PA, Elliot and a 3rd to Montreal for Gorges and Bourque - probably far from possible. haha

I know Roy has already stated that he wants Elliott playing at some point next season. If Roy is interested in keeping him, I wonder if we would trade him. I think we could have at least offered another young prospect, but not many are Barrie style other than Elliott. Will be interesting to see how it continues to unfold. If that was all they were originally wanting for the kid then we should make another run. However, I would hate to see Elliott turn out to be Shattenkirk deal. Pure talent for a fallen #1 pick. Not to take away from Johnson's season, he just needs to keep building but if I had it to do again I would have keep Shatty. Scared we trade Elliott and he becomes a monster.
- ZzHockey

I think the draft will say a lot. If the AVS take Roland McKeown or Anthony Deangelo, then I think they become more comfortable moving Elliot. I think Elliot and Holden could be a deadly pairing, but both are big liabilities in the D end, but I like that Holden has size that he really started to use last season. I think as our bottom pair you need a Matt Greene type guy to really anchor that D and keep everyone calm. Not tons of experience back there.

We have 2 options with Elliot, eithe he makes the team to start the year or he is traded. He is no longer excempt from the waiver wire to be sent down to the monsters. Surely someone would pick him up on waivers if he didn't make the team out of camp.

If the right deal comes a long I think we have to take it. He can't be a healthy scratch d man to start the season. So I have him penciled in on the 3rd pairing for now
- DDM-Coga

Unless he signed a 2 way contract that enables him to be sent down. Who would he beat out? I mean we have Siemens that looks like he could make roster?

Unless he signed a 2 way contract that enables him to be sent down. Who would he beat out? I mean we have Siemens that looks like he could make roster?
- ZzHockey

Still has to pass through waivers and can be claimed. No different than guys like Palushaj when we claimed him, just means he has an ahl and nhl salaries

now lets add Matt Niskanen? He has decent production from last season, his first real season since 2008-09 with Dallas - his plus/minus was fantastic and he is far from a 5+ million dollar a year player. Slot him for lets say three seasons at maybe $3.5 million dollars and there you have it.

Niskanen will get closer to 7M than he will 3.5M

And I'm not sure I'm a fan of you cutting me from the team.

Still has to pass through waivers and can be claimed. No different than guys like Palushaj when we claimed him, just means he has an ahl and nhl salaries
- DDM-Coga

Ok that makes more sense. That would suck to lose him for nothing.

Niskanen will get closer to 7M than he will 3.5M

And I'm not sure I'm a fan of you cutting me from the team.
- Ryan_Wilson

Pull your weight next year and we won't have an issue.
But I would rather want to give nisk a deal like 5-5.5m on a 5 year deal instead, but I don't think he takes that. I assume the Pens would have offered him that by now

Ok that makes more sense. That would suck to lose him for nothing.
- ZzHockey

If Roy doesn't think he is ready for 3rd pairings or the right EJ deal doesn't happen in ufa, he's the most likely to be shopped for another d man. Asset management

Pull your weight next year and we won't have an issue.
But I would rather want to give nisk a deal like 5-5.5m on a 5 year deal instead, but I don't think he takes that. I assume the Pens would have offered him that by now
- DDM-Coga

Maybe he is like Orpik and doesn't want to stay there?