Value of: Danault + Lehkonen to Avs

[A Loyal Dog]

Danault and Lehkonen are perfect fits for the Avs. We’re looking for a top-4 LHD predominantly (and special team specialists), and are looking to shed a bit of cap space at the same time. What would you guys offer for our two players?

Is Devon Toews out of the question? Otherwise, how is Graves this season?

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[RationalExpectations]

Danault is MTL n1 center, Bergevin added to the lineup to save his job.

 

[Psycho Mantis]

I wouldn’t trade Toews for anything less than a severe overpayment.

No interest in Lehkonen. Avs have so many wingers and young prospects like Kaut and Bowers ready to play when they have a spot open.

Graves is available. He’s better suited for PK and bottom pairing though.

 

[Avs44]

Afraid that pretty much none of Toews, Girard, or Byram in the LHD department are going anywhere. The Avs are built around the mobility and puck movement of Makar/Girard/Toews. Toews has been flatly spectacular. Leads the Avs in ice time this year, plays the PP and a big role on the PK.

Graves...well, this season he's probably not playing like the sort of top four defensman you'd want if you aspire to be a good team, I'll say that. He's still a very useful player, but I think he's best suited for the #5 sort of role with a lot of PK minutes that he's currently filling for the Avs, with the ability to fill in case of injuries.

I don't think the Avs would give you the sort of return you'd want for Danault. He'd be an incredible #3 centre, but what the Avs can offer is futures -- especially given that he's a pending UFA the club couldn't afford to retain.

 

[Cypher]

Not trading a core piece in Toews for a 3C who is a UFA in 3-4 months and a 3rd/4th line winger who isn't even an upgrade on what the Avs already have.

Graves could be had, but Avs also need a defenseman for expansion draft, and that's Graves. EJ waives his NMC, Makar/Girard/Toews are protected, and Byram is exempt.

 

[Patagonia]

Graves is the most likely LHD available due to expansion draft risk. Danault would be of interest, doubt the Habs move while they’re still in playoff position.

 

[Iracundia]

Not trading a core piece in Toews for a 3C who is a UFA in 3-4 months and a 3rd/4th line winger who isn't even an upgrade on what the Avs already have.

Graves could be had, but Avs also need a defenseman for expansion draft, and that's Graves. EJ waives his NMC, Makar/Girard/Toews are protected, and Byram is exempt.

I think MacDonald is 7 games away from being eligible

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Danault and Lehkonen are perfect fits for the Avs. We’re looking for a top-4 LHD predominantly (and special team specialists), and are looking to shed a bit of cap space at the same time. What would you guys offer for our two players?

Is Devon Toews out of the question? Otherwise, how is Graves this season?

Yikes. Yeah, he is most definitely out of the question.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Love Toews that was such a great pickup by the Avs i dont see Colorado moving him for a UFA Danault and Lekhonen doesnt have much value

 

[Richard88]

Danault and Lehkonen are perfect fits for the Avs. We’re looking for a top-4 LHD predominantly (and special team specialists), and are looking to shed a bit of cap space at the same time. What would you guys offer for our two players?

Is Devon Toews out of the question? Otherwise, how is Graves this season?

Devon Toews is absolutely waaaay out of the question. He's playing like a No.1 Dman this season and is 7th in the league in Dman goals with 6. Tonight he played 28:30 against Vegas.

 

[Richard88]

Not trading a core piece in Toews for a 3C who is a UFA in 3-4 months and a 3rd/4th line winger who isn't even an upgrade on what the Avs already have.

Graves could be had, but Avs also need a defenseman for expansion draft, and that's Graves. EJ waives his NMC, Makar/Girard/Toews are protected, and Byram is exempt.

MacDonald will soon hit the criteria to count as the exposed Dman by playing another 8 games, so that isn't a reason to hold onto Graves. Not that I think Graves should be moved, mind.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

Afraid that pretty much none of Toews, Girard, or Byram in the LHD department are going anywhere. The Avs are built around the mobility and puck movement of Makar/Girard/Toews. Toews has been flatly spectacular. Leads the Avs in ice time this year, plays the PP and a big role on the PK.

Graves...well, this season he's probably not playing like the sort of top four defensman you'd want if you aspire to be a good team, I'll say that. He's still a very useful player, but I think he's best suited for the #5 sort of role with a lot of PK minutes that he's currently filling for the Avs, with the ability to fill in case of injuries.

I don't think the Avs would give you the sort of return you'd want for Danault. He'd be an incredible #3 centre, but what the Avs can offer is futures -- especially given that he's a pending UFA the club couldn't afford to retain.

Graves is still only in his 2nd "full" NHL season, so maybe it's only a sophomore slump. But, overall, I agree. Not really a good trade to be made here.

 

[Perratrooper]

Graves for Danault as a starter would definitely have me interested.

 

[Jared Dunn]

Montreal should have traded for Toews in the offseason too late now

 

[glenbuis]

Graves for Danault as a starter would definitely have me interested.

Graves does nothing for us . We’re looking for an offensive guy

 

[glenbuis]

Montreal should have traded for Toews in the offseason too late now

Absolutely

 

[Not The One]

Who exactly on the Habs would replace Danault's ice time? Staal? Lol.

 

[DingDongCharlie]

Who exactly on the Habs would replace Danault's ice time? Staal? Lol.

I agree with you on this. If Montreal and MB are gearing up for a run you don’t sell off a guy like Danault. You treat him as your own rental and you go for it. Same applies to Tatar.

 

[Not The One]

I agree with you on this. If Montreal and MB are gearing up for a run you don’t sell off a guy like Danault. You treat him as your own rental and you go for it. Same applies to Tatar.

It's ridiculous isn't it? There's a whole bunch of fans whining about him 24/7 but despite having a down season he's got comparable production to Suzuki and Kotkaniemi over the last month and a half (despite getting no PP time) , and has better 5v5 stats than either of them. He easily leads the team in plus-minus as well.

 

[glenbuis]

MacDonald will soon hit the criteria to count as the exposed Dman by playing another 8 games, so that isn't a reason to hold onto Graves. Not that I think Graves should be moved, mind.

Just wanted to clarify something here . A team gets to keep either 1-3-7 or 1-4-4 . Other players ( 1st or 2nd year ) do not have to be protected . Ufa’s do not have to be protected. If a team has 3 defenseman who fit the criteria to be selected, they do not get the right to decide who is the exposed player . There all fair game

 

[A Loyal Dog]

It's ridiculous isn't it? There's a whole bunch of fans whining about him 24/7 but despite having a down season he's got comparable production to Suzuki and Kotkaniemi over the last month and a half (despite getting no PP time) , and has better 5v5 stats than either of them. He easily leads the team in plus-minus as well.

The Habs just acquired Staal to play top-9 C (making one of our Cs expendable). Staal is one season removed from ~58 point pace. Then add the cap that we need to fix to get Caufield to play with us (no one’s taking Byron, etc), and Danault’s contract situation (he will be UFA). And finally, we need to move for a top-4 LHD because if there is one real weakness to our team, apart from not having elite-level forwards, is a good partner for Weber.

So yeah, move out ~5m in cap, acquire a top-4 LHD, and get Caufield to also join the team... It’s a no brainer.

 

[GammaAway]

Just wanted to clarify something here . A team gets to keep either 1-3-7 or 1-4-4 . Other players ( 1st or 2nd year ) do not have to be protected . Ufa’s do not have to be protected. If a team has 3 defenseman who fit the criteria to be selected, they do not get the right to decide who is the exposed player . There all fair game

But the point is there is a minimum number of players that have to be eligible - so if Graves were to be the only defenseman that could be selected and was traded, the Avs would not comply to minimum expansion draft pool and there could be ''consequences''. Having MacDonald be so close to being eligible means that the Avs can make that trade and still be in compliance.

 

[Hasbro]

Graves is an Adonis, a Cadillac of men. I don't know if Danault and Lek would be enough.

 

[Linds]

Just wanted to clarify something here . A team gets to keep either 1-3-7 or 1-4-4 . Other players ( 1st or 2nd year ) do not have to be protected . Ufa’s do not have to be protected. If a team has 3 defenseman who fit the criteria to be selected, they do not get the right to decide who is the exposed player . There all fair game

What are you saying? Of course the team gets to decide who they will protect and not protect

 

[Peter Peckerwood]

Graves is an Adonis, a Cadillac of men. I don't know if Danault and Lek would be enough.

You forgot the mane of Hercules.
Habs fans, have we done enough to whet your appetite for Graves with the above?
He also drove a stray cat who was giving birth in a parking lot to the nearest vet's office.