Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: Quiet July 1 For the Avalanche; Marner Happy in Vegas; Blues Make Desperation Deal
Free agency wasn’t quite as insane as it could’ve been. Were the Avs smart to steer clear? Also, the next chapter in Mitch Marner’s career is set to begin.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — July 1.
Colorado Hockey Now
That wasn’t quite the July 1 we thought it would be. But it seems like it’s setting up for a summer of trades. At least that’s how I’m reading the market.
The Avs have cap space to use and spots in the lineup to fill, and they’re reportedly eyeing the last remaining big fish on the market. And if they don’t get him? The trades will begin. As is usually the case.
Read More: With Ehlers Reportedly in Sight, Avalanche Smartly Play the Waiting Game
The Avs lost two of their own, who both departed via free agency on Tuesday.
Jonathan Drouin landed a two-year deal with the Islanders, and Ryan Lindgren is off to Seattle for four years. Both signed for salaries that wouldn’t have worked for Avs, especially in the roles they would’ve played.
Read More: Jonathan Drouin Lands Big Two-Year Contract With Islanders
Read More: Ryan Lindgren Departs Avalanche For New Deal in Seattle
As for the one thing the Avs did do.
If you’re a fan of Parker Kelly, you’re going to like the four-year deal he signed a year out from the start of the extension.
When we spoke to Chris MacFarland over the weekend, I asked about the status of Martin Necas. MacFarland responded by saying he wouldn’t comment on any of the potential deals for their guys. Which instantly made me think about Kelly, and the idea of locking him up a year in advance, like they did with Logan O’Connor. That ended up being the case.
Now we wait on Necas. Sign? Trade? Let it ride?
Read More: Avalanche Extend Parker Kelly For Four Years — Deal Begins in 2026-27
Around The NHL
I was updating the article below all throughout the day with my thoughts on notable signings around the league. I figured I would plug that before digging into the stories around the National Hockey Now Network.
Given the massive move they made, I think it’s best we start in Vegas.
Vegas Hockey Now: I’m one of those people that hated to see things end the way they did between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Marner. It should’ve never gotten to this, but a change was necessary for both sides. Seeing him look happier was a nice change. Marner admitted that this was where he wanted to be.
GM Kelly McCrimmon was also very complimentary of his new superstar forward.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: One of the depth forwards on my UFA wishlist for the Avs was Justin Brazeau. He ended up landing in Pittsburgh for more than what I would’ve wanted in Colorado.
Montreal Hockey Now: I have no idea what the Blues were thinking, shipping Zach Bolduc to Montreal for Logan Mailloux. Is that the price for right-shot defensemen that haven’t even gained a permanent role in the NHL? Or is this a sign of desperation? Methinks it’s the latter.
New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils shored up their depth with additions of Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov. They also got the best bargain deal on the market, re-signing their own UFA Jake Allen to a five-year deal.
NYI Hockey Now: I really hope things go well for Drouin on Long Island. That’s a team that has struggled to score in the past. I’m not sure if it’s the best landing spot for him.
Boston Hockey Now: Among the handful of moves the Bruins made, they gave an insane amount of money and term to Tanner Jeannot. But before that, they also made a deal with Edmonton to acquire another depth forward.
Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers took a chance on Oliver Ekman-Larsson two years ago and it worked. Then they went a bit older with Nate Schmidt last year and that worked, too. Now, Jeff Petry gets his turn on their third pair.
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks handed out big money and term to depth pieces on July 1 in each of the last two years. Not this time.
Deen’s Daily: Decentralized Draft is Staying; Kovalenko’s NHL Stint Ends
Former Avalanche Forward Is Heading Back to the KHL
Deen’s Daily: What Are the Avs Doing at 3C?; Sharks Add 2 Veterans
7 Trade Targets That Could Solve the Avalanche’s 3C Hole (+)
Deen’s Daily: Manson Re-Signs; Dallas Dumps Dumba — RHD Always Have Value
Avalanche UFA Board: Bottom Six Depth Options Remain on The Market
‘There’s One Big Goal Still’: Burns is Excited to Join Avs
Report: Avalanche Used Charlie Coyle to Solve Their Miles Wood Problem
Deen’s Daily: Ehlers Heads East; Burns Itching For a Stanley Cup; Trades Coming?
Deen’s Daily: Burns Brings the Beard to Denver; Isles Land KHL Star; Ehlers Decision Coming?
The latest:
Chris Johnston
With top UFA Nikolaj Ehlers now down to a few teams he’s deciding between, the expectation is that his decision should be made at some point today.
All of this drama & hoopla for a very mid winger lol. Further proof that timing is everything in life.
I saw Blues waived Nick Leddy. Avs going to be all over that.
On a more serious note, would Brent Burns be that bad to add?
His projected salary is 1x$5.3M. Kind of expensive to replace Manson. I’m not saying he would be worse than Manson, but when the Avs need cheaper players, would that be good?
Well, and I’m not advocating one way or another because I’m fine keeping Manson for another year, but if the concern is his health vs. his AAV, Burns has been pretty reliable the last two years and would give the Avs a similar type of player. Manson could be traded for a depth center/forward or another defenseman. Either way Avs would have to drop into FA next year to replace one of the two.
Burns is 40. Manson is 33.
Burns is the better player, can run a PP and he’s durable. I’d take a year of Burns over a year of Manson, especially if Burns is $2M.
I actually think especially since they’re pretty set on the right side. That Orlov would be a great add. And an excellent D partner for Malinski. Plus he’s more than capable of playing top 4 mins if needed.
I like Orlov okay but I bet he’s going be asking for more than the Avs can afford.
I don’t see Leddy being worth $4m AAV when healthy. He’s basically a slightly cheaper version of Manson, but a smaller body and fewer hits…
I was just joking on the Avs loving small defenseman DK!
I guess you called it! Still waiting to learn what the price is.
I got something right! Lol
The Avs can sign Ehler and keep Necas, if they trade one of their mid priced players, like Colton, Girard, or Manson. If Ehlers signs for $8M, then the Avs are over the cap by $.45M. They could trade Colton and then have $4.45M. If the Avs keep both Necas and Elhers, Lehkonen would fall down to the 3rd line. With Colton gone, the Avs bottom 6 would be Lehkonen, Drury, Kelly, and O’Connor. They would have to come up with 3 players to fill the 2 empty spots and O’Connor’s spot until he returns. They would also need to… Read more »
I can wait just like the rest of the fanbase for Ehlers to NOT sign with the Avs. And I don’t care if he does or doesn’t. I don’t think he moves the needle in either direction…
Let him get overpaid somewhere else.
Frank Seravalli: Re Nikolaj Ehlers: I’m focusing on two teams, either Washington or Carolina – Big Show
I hope the Avs did not shoot themselves in the foot, passing on so many UFA’s that could have helped the lineup, by focusing on Ehlers.
I don’t think the Avs missed out on anyone that signed yesterday other than Garikov who took less to go to NYR. Depth guys like Dumoulin cashed in for way more than they are worth.
They missed out on Prebix.
Their top 6 is set regardless. There’s still plenty of guys left on the market who would fit on the 3rd D pair. So I don’t feel as if they really missed out on anyway truly impactful that desperately fills a need for them. I just keep coming back to if they were not specifically targeting any one player. Which it sure seems they weren’t. Then why trade Coyle? I’m starting to think they kicked the tires on Ehlers. But aren’t prepared to go as far as Carolina & others to secure his services. So you cleared all of this… Read more »
Exactly
Trades
They have no real tradable assets in terms of picks & prospects. And the only roster players who could get dealt make significant money (Necas, Girard & Manson). So opening up 8 million in cap space wasn’t necessary for making a trade or trades.
Mason Appleton at 2.9 would’ve been ideal for the 3rd line but that’s ok let’s just keep letting everyone sign every where else.
If im mack and makar i would demand a trade. They gave shed that cap just to do nothing.