Confirmed Trade: [COL/SJS] Avs trade Nicolas Meloche to Sharks for Antoine Bibeau

[cgf]

Sounds like Dillon before he improved his skating.
FWIW, SJ has a history of drafting guys with skating issues as they say that's the easiest thing to improve on.

So do we; with a highly respected skating coach in the organization; and Meloche's skating is a lot less choppy than it was when he was drafted...I just dunno enough about the technical nuances of skating to have a strong read on how close his skating is to being good enough for the next level.

Unlike many other past avs blueline prospects that I had given up on by the time they were moved (Bigras & Siemens) or who were always longshots (Wood), I do think Meloche will carve out an NHL career as a bottom 3 PK-specialist...eventually...if not becoming a legit middle pairing guy.

 

[S E P H]

I don't hold out much hope for Meloche and I doubt he becomes anything, but I never buy the "He was never going to get a chance here."

Situations aren't static. While right now he has a ton of guys ahead of him... things change. It's possible, unlikely true, that he takes another step- 22 year old, big dmen can still break out at that age. Injuries, trades, regressions.... You never know what will happen.

I once held out hope for Bibeau but doesn't look like that's happening. Very high likelihood that this is a minor league deal only, but SJ could end up getting lucky on this one and end up with $5 on the scratch ticket they found on the ground.

Avs drafting Helleson pretty much killed Avs long-term commitment with him here.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

That's not it at all. They had three goalies in camp. Adam Werner (4 AHL games of NA pro experience), Hunter Miska (2 years AHL experience), and Mason McDonald (5 AHL games experience). If Grubauer or Francouz got hurt, they had no one that could step in as the Avs #3. They traded a guy that was never going to get a chance since he was passed this summer by four players this on the depth chart for a guy that is essentially the Avs #3. Had absolutely nothing to do with the Avs not trusting Francois. He's been given the backup job since they let Varlamov walk.

I also think there's concerns about whether some combination of Werner/Miska/McDonald will be sufficient for the Eagles this season, and this gives them a little more flexibility to send 2 of those guys down to the ECHL.

 

[matt trick]

So do we; with a highly respected skating coach in the organization; and Meloche's skating is a lot less choppy than it was when he was drafted...I just dunno enough about the technical nuances of skating to have a strong read on how close his skating is to being good enough for the next level.

Unlike many other past avs blueline prospects that I had given up on by the time they were moved (Bigras & Siemens) or who were always longshots (Wood), I do think Meloche will carve out an NHL career as a bottom 3 PK-specialist...eventually...if not becoming a legit middle pairing guy.

Sharks probably need a PK specialist more than they need a PP specialist, like Tim Heed. A defenseman who doesn't handle the puck like a grenade, and plays a physical and detailed game is what our team needs. He also seems like he'd be a decent compliment to Ferraro who's likely going to replace Brenden Dillon next year.

 

[cgf]

Sharks probably need a PK specialist more than they need a PP specialist, like Tim Heed. A defenseman who doesn't handle the puck like a grenade, and plays a physical and detailed game is what our team needs. He also seems like he'd be a decent compliment to Ferraro who's likely going to replace Brenden Dillon next year.

I'll be rooting for him

 

[belair]

This seems like a bit of an overpayment from Colorado's POV, no? Meloche is still waiver exempt.

 

[tucker3434]

This seems like a bit of an overpayment from Colorado's POV, no? Meloche is still waiver exempt.

I’d say so. I’d rather trade a guy like Meloche for a similar winger than an AHL goalie. But whatever. Meloche doesn’t have the upside we once thought he did. Still likely more than Bibeau.

 

[klozge]

This seems like a bit of an overpayment from Colorado's POV, no? Meloche is still waiver exempt.

Might be but it doesn't hurt much and it's good for the player who did everything the Avs wanted him to do. Little things can go a long way.