Aarif Deen
Question from jedwin7
It’s been reported that Mikhail Gulyayev has signed a two-year extension to stay in the KHL. Is this his own decision, or did he have input from the Avs before making it? Does this change anything with him, and do you feel like he’s still a part of the long-term plans? Would he have good trade value if the team decides he isn’t?
Aarif’s Response
Gulyayev has, in fact, signed a two-year deal with Avangard that will keep him in the KHL through the end of the 2027-28 season. I don’t have confirmation on this part, but I don’t think the Avs played a part in his decision to stay. If anything, they’d probably want to get him to Loveland to further his development under their watch, but Russian players aren’t always willing to make that jump unless the NHL is closer to a guarantee. And I just don’t think he’s there right now.
I’m not sure where this goes with Gulyayev, but I wouldn’t count on him being a factor for the Avalanche anytime soon. If, in two years, he’s looking like a stud and worthy of NHL consideration, we’ll circle back. And if that time comes, I’m sure the Avs hope it goes better than the Nikolai Kovalenko experience after all the hype around him coming to North America.
Question from JDY
Who are the top 3 most likely Avs to be traded during the offseason?
Aarif’s Response
The three easiest names that come to mind for me are Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Valeri Nichushkin. But you could also convince me that Nic Roy is in that conversation.
Colton is an obvious candidate, as his $4 million cap hit is a luxury this team can no longer afford. When you look back at his three-year Avalanche tenure as a whole, it’s nowhere close to as productive as what he, or the team, probably thought it would be. It’s unfortunate, but the writing is on the wall that he’s probably going to have a new home before next season. The Avs were also shopping him before the deadline to clear cap space.
Drury is on this list simply because he’s a restricted free agent that they tried to sign during the season, but couldn’t come to terms on a deal that made sense for both sides. From what I’ve heard, Drury is aiming for a higher number than what the Avalanche are willing to commit to a fourth-line center. His availability is obviously contingent on if they do or don’t come to terms.
If they end up signing him, I can see Roy being an option to trade if Sakic decides to allocate that cap space to other parts of the lineup. I’m a big fan of Roy’s game, and I think he could be a really good piece for the Avs in a full season. So we’ll see on this one.
As for Nichushkin, longtime followers of mine will know just how much I adore and value this player. He was an absolute machine for the Avalanche from the 2021-22 season through New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31, 2024. Since then, I just don’t think he’s been as effective.
I was looking forward to 2025-26 being Nichushkin’s big breakout year. With Gabe Landeskog back in the fold and a permanent 2C in Brock Nelson, I thought for sure he would have a breakout year. It didn’t happen. And his playoffs were just average.
Given that he makes $6.125 million against the cap (and far less in actual dollars) over the next four years, I can see Sakic trying to refresh his top six by moving Nichushkin to bring in someone younger. It just seems like the most likely scenario of the top six (unless Artturi Lehkonen’s extension talks go sideways, but I’m not sure if those have even begun).
Question from Brad J.
Did the Avalanche pay Brent Burns his bonus out of this year’s cap, or does the $2 million roll over to next season?
Aarif’s Response
Brent Burns made $3 million in bonuses, but the Avalanche ended the season with right around $700,000 in cap space. Because of that, the remaining $2.3 million or so will roll over to next year’s salary cap. So you’re pretty spot on with your question.
PuckPedia is a great tool for bonus overages. They usually release an article shortly after the regular season each year, listing the teams that have bonus overages for the following season. This is what they wrote on April 16.