Sunday Notes: NHL Draft Might Be Boring For Avalanche Fans

A good Sunday to all. Sunny here in Thornton this morning, not a cloud in the sky. Let’s do some NHL notes, with some Avalanche ones mixed in:

• The NHL Draft is always a must-watch, especially on the first night. But it figures to be boring for Avalanche fans. Colorado does not own a first-round pick this season – or a second. The only pick they have in the first three rounds, in fact, is the No. 97 overall pick. The 2023 first-round pick went to Arizona in the Darcy Kuemper trade. The second-round pick, one of two, went to the Islanders in the Devon Toews trade. Do we think those trades were worth it now, Avalanche fans?
• Avalanche has only three other picks in the draft after No. 97. They are at Nos. 161, 193 and 225.
• Of course, maybe there will be a trade or two by the Avalanche on the night or Round 1, or Rounds 2-7 the next day?
• Who might the Avalanche trade? Well, I would have to think Sam Girard’s name might come up. With Bo Byram edging out his role somewhat, and with a $5 million cap hit for La Tornade, he might be expendable. That’s especially true if they re-sign UFA Josh Manson. Manson is likely to cost in the $5 million range on his next deal, maybe more.
• I know this might tick some fans off saying this now, but a lot of business decisions need to be made by the Avalanche in the next 10 days. I think another guy who might – might – be potential trade bait is J.T. Compher. With Alex Newhook probably getting a bigger role moving forward, a $3.5 million cap hit and UFA status after next season, the Avalanche has to at least consider what to do with Compher. His salary coming off the books might – might – help re-sign another guy on the Avalanche UFA list – which is a long one.
• There’s a lot of debate right now in Pittsburgh as to whether the Penguins should keep potential UFAs Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
• The view in Boston on former DU coach Jim Montgomery getting the Bruins coaching job (Boston Hockey Now)
• Lots of debate in Washington about what they should go about their goaltending situation. Could Darcy Kuemper be an answer? (Washington Hockey Now)
• Could J.T. Miller be a good replacement for Nazem Kadri, if he walks? The latest on his situation in Vancouver (Vancouver Hockey Now)
• Larry Brooks thinks the Islanders should make a big pitch for potential UFA Johnny Gaudreau (NY Post)
• Fantasy hockey: 10 forwards to avoid in 2022-23 (Hockey News)
• Russian Flyers goalie prospect detained for alleged skirting of military draft (Hockey News)
• Book recommendation: “My Brave Boys: To War with Colonel Cross and the Fighting Fifth”, a great read about a New Hampshire regiment in the Civil War. (Amazon)
• Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend.