Confirmed Trade: [NJD/COL] Ryan Graves for Mikhail Maltsev and 2021 2nd round pick

[NJ Fan 12]

What is NJD going to do with Graves? They already have good young defencemen especially on the left side. Colorado should convert the 2nd + Maltsev for an elite 2nd line centre or another elite defencemen.

Play him. They do have young defensemen coming but most are a year (or more) away. Should be an upgrade from the Butchers, Carrick and Seversons that played a lot of minutes last year.

If they can add Ristolainen the prospects look a lot brighter in 2021-22.

 

[JimEIV]

Just browsing Hockey Reference

I see Graves was 2nd on the Avalanche in hits
1st in blocked shots
3rd Dman in Takeaways
4th Dman in ATOI
4th Dman in Points - With all of his points coming at Even Strength.

EDIT: He was also Colorado's #1 PKer in time on Ice.

He was 2nd in Dman Playoff scoring with 6 points and 5 of them coming at Even Strength and the highest +/- Dman in the playoffs...I know how out of fashion +/- is but relative to his teammates it gives me some information go on.


Now I will admit that I am not intimately familiar with his game, that's why I am looking at at Hockey Reference...But I did watch the Avalache in the playoffs this season.

The narratives I am reading on this thread don't seem match the stat sheet?

 

[Pual Statsny]

Just browsing Hockey Reference

I see Graves was 2nd on the Avalanche in hits
1st in blocked shots
3rd Dman in Takeaways
4th Dman in ATOI
4th Dman in Points - With all of his points coming at Even Strength.

He was 2nd in Dman Playoff scoring with 6 points and 5 of them coming at Even Strength and the highest +/- Dman in the playoffs...I know how out of fashion +/- is but relative to his teammates it gives me some information go on.

Now I will admit that I am not intimately familiar with his game, that's why I am looking at at Hockey Reference...But I did watch the Avalache in the playoffs this season.

The narratives I am reading on this thread don't seem match the stat sheet?

dave farrish is that you

 

[Forge]

It's completely okay that Graves doesn't make much sense for Colorado moving forward at his play & hit and his fans don't think that he's very good (in comparison to what they have and what is coming up) and yet he's an active upgrade to what the Devils have and does make sense for them to acquire and put into their lineup.

Its a fine move for both sides

 

[Patagonia]

Just browsing Hockey Reference

I see Graves was 2nd on the Avalanche in hits
1st in blocked shots
3rd Dman in Takeaways
4th Dman in ATOI
4th Dman in Points - With all of his points coming at Even Strength.

He was 2nd in Dman Playoff scoring with 6 points and 5 of them coming at Even Strength and the highest +/- Dman in the playoffs...I know how out of fashion +/- is but relative to his teammates it gives me some information go on.

Now I will admit that I am not intimately familiar with his game, that's why I am looking at at Hockey Reference...But I did watch the Avalache in the playoffs this season.

The narratives I am reading on this thread don't seem match the stat sheet?

Graves numbers are inflated due to playing on the AVs. He’s not terrible. Works and try’s hard, but low IQ trying to do more than capable.

He was a cap, surplus and expansion casualty. Bryam and McDonald are cheaper and ready replacement.

NJD won the trade and AVs recoup assets for a player they would have lost for nothing.

 

[JimEIV]

It's completely okay that Graves doesn't make much sense for Colorado moving forward at his play & hit and his fans don't think that he's very good (in comparison to what they have and what is coming up) and yet he's an active upgrade to what the Devils have and does make sense for them to acquire and put into their lineup.

Its a fine move for both sides

See I am doing my best to be unbiased but...

Here is my thought process;

Colorado was the best regular season team in the league: Graves was their 4th Dman and #1 Penalty Killer

For the 60th pick and Maltsev?

Like I said I am trying my best to be unbiased... but on the surface it looks like Fitzgerald bent Sakic over a barrel.

No regular NHL Dman should be that cheap...That is what the Devils paid to San Jose for Mirco Muller before the last expansion draft.

 

[goonybird]

Graves could but utter shite and still be a good acquisition for the Devils

 

[falconski]

See I am doing my best to be unbiased but...

Here is my thought process;

Colorado was the best regular season team in the league: Graves was their 4th Dman and #1 Penalty Killer

For the 60th pick and Maltsev?

Like I said I am trying my best to be unbiased... but on the surface it looks like Fitzgerald bent Sakic over a barrel.

No regular NHL Dman should be that cheap...That is what the Devils paid to San Jose for Mirco Muller before the last expansion draft.

he'd be #5 if EJ weren't a bandaid (and the way Byram played before if he didn't drop off Graves would still be the #5 if he weren't injured too). He's perfectly fine as a bottom pairing guy that doesn't look completely out of place when called up to the second pairing and on the first PK unit (his ability to clear the puck out of the zone is severely lacking, but he's rarely out of position on the PK).

He pinches a too often and although he has a decent slapshot it rarely makes it through. We were likely losing him to Seattle anyway, so this let us get some assets instead and makes Seattle take a bigger contract off the books for us (unless they really want Logan O'Conner), so it's hard to consider it a big loss. If it works out for the Devils, it can be a win-win.

 

[Mac Attack]

See I am doing my best to be unbiased but...

Here is my thought process;

Colorado was the best regular season team in the league: Graves was their 4th Dman and #1 Penalty Killer

For the 60th pick and Maltsev?

Like I said I am trying my best to be unbiased... but on the surface it looks like Fitzgerald bent Sakic over a barrel.

No regular NHL Dman should be that cheap...That is what the Devils paid to San Jose for Mirco Muller before the last expansion draft.

He was the #1 PK guy because their best defence man are better utilized at powerplay and even strength. He was their #4 dman because Erik Johnson was injured (he also would have had more pk minutes) , and Bowen Byram was for a lot of the season as well. (Byram would have overtaken him this season if healthy making him Colorado's #6). However, Graves is a useful player and I think that this is a fair deal. As far as I know Av's fan have never expected more than a second and a third for him long before this deal took place. I'm happy we got something instead of giving him to Seattle for free.

 

[Richard88]

See I am doing my best to be unbiased but...

Here is my thought process;

Colorado was the best regular season team in the league: Graves was their 4th Dman and #1 Penalty Killer

For the 60th pick and Maltsev?

Like I said I am trying my best to be unbiased... but on the surface it looks like Fitzgerald bent Sakic over a barrel.

No regular NHL Dman should be that cheap...That is what the Devils paid to San Jose for Mirco Muller before the last expansion draft.

It's a question of timing. A 2nd rounder and waiver-exempt 4th liner isn't bad value in the context that Graves would have been lost for nothing and that there weren't many teams willing to acquire a Dman prior to expansion. Graves is also very replaceable for the Avs, not least because Byram is making the team outright this season.

 

[forsbergavs32]

It’s a fine deal on both sides. The Avs clear cap space and get assets for a player who was Seattle bound since he wasn’t really working out well in Colorado. The Devils get a #5 who could possibly be a #4 if NJ’s coaching staff can get him to realize he’s not the second coming of Bobby Orr and he plays within his game. Yes Graves is a flawed player but if he wasn’t he would be pricing himself out of Colorado now.

 

[JimEIV]

He was the #1 PK guy because their best defence man are better utilized at powerplay and even strength. He was their #4 dman because Erik Johnson was injured (he also would have had more pk minutes) , and Bowen Byram was for a lot of the season as well. (Byram would have overtaken him this season if healthy making him Colorado's #6). However, Graves is a useful player and I think that this is a fair deal. As far as I know Av's fan have never expected more than a second and a third for him long before this deal took place. I'm happy we got something instead of giving him to Seattle for free.

But with him in the position of being your #1 PKer and picking up the minutes for EJ and/or Byram you were the best team in the league.

Him filling those roles didn't seem to hurt your team - In fact Colorado was the 8th best PK% Unit in the League and Graves was your #1 Penalty Killer. That actually sounds like a significant loss to me.

 

[MMC]

Who do Avs fans expect to lose now?

 

[geofff]

Who do Avs fans expect to lose now?

Probably Donskoi, but maybe Compher

 

[forsbergavs32]

Who do Avs fans expect to lose now?

Most likely Donskoi, with a possible chance of Compher, MacDonald or O’Connor

 

[AslanRH]

But with him in the position of being your #1 PKer and picking up the minutes for EJ and/or Byram you were the best team in the league.

Him filling those roles didn't seem to hurt your team - In fact Colorado was the 8th best PK% Unit in the League and Graves was your #1 Penalty Killer. That actually sounds like a significant loss to me.

It's not that significant for this Avs team, but I'll tell you the Devils stole the hope diamond with this trade if that is what you want

 

[Belgican]

But with him in the position of being your #1 PKer and picking up the minutes for EJ and/or Byram you were the best team in the league.

Him filling those roles didn't seem to hurt your team - In fact Colorado was the 8th best PK% Unit in the League and Graves was your #1 Penalty Killer. That actually sounds like a significant loss to me.

It is in some way, you are right, but the Avs will have Byram next season, and hopefully EJ, as effective PKers next season, not to say Toews who was a rock on PK already last season. The problem with Graves is that he was yet another offensive D 5 on 5 when you already had Makar, Girard, and even Toews and Byram in some way

 

[Gabe the Babe]

But with him in the position of being your #1 PKer and picking up the minutes for EJ and/or Byram you were the best team in the league.

Him filling those roles didn't seem to hurt your team - In fact Colorado was the 8th best PK% Unit in the League and Graves was your #1 Penalty Killer. That actually sounds like a significant loss to me.

What we’re saying is the Avs would’ve been top 3 in the league with or without Graves there. Roster is too good.

Graves is a fine player bro. But in the same way that Grubauer isn’t the third best goalie in the league. Graves isn’t exactly a real top 4 dman. Conversely his shot selection is bottom 10 in the league. He can’t get pucks through and it cost us an overtime game and ultimately the series.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

See I am doing my best to be unbiased but...

Here is my thought process;

Colorado was the best regular season team in the league: Graves was their 4th Dman and #1 Penalty Killer

For the 60th pick and Maltsev?

Like I said I am trying my best to be unbiased... but on the surface it looks like Fitzgerald bent Sakic over a barrel.

No regular NHL Dman should be that cheap...That is what the Devils paid to San Jose for Mirco Muller before the last expansion draft.

Before the trade, the Avs' D depth chart was as follows:

Makar
Toews
Girard
Johnson
Byram
Graves
MacDonald
Timmins

He would have been a permanent fixture on the 3rd pair if Johnson and Byram are healthy

 

[Spirits]

Single greatest trade in Avalanche history! St. Patrick is now a close 2nd!!!

 

[McJedi]

See I am doing my best to be unbiased but...

Here is my thought process;

Colorado was the best regular season team in the league: Graves was their 4th Dman and #1 Penalty Killer

For the 60th pick and Maltsev?

Like I said I am trying my best to be unbiased... but on the surface it looks like Fitzgerald bent Sakic over a barrel.

No regular NHL Dman should be that cheap...That is what the Devils paid to San Jose for Mirco Muller before the last expansion draft.

Not NJ. The damn expansion draft has several teams over the barrel. The Avs just got something for a guy they may have lost for nothing.

now they’ll probably lose Donskoi to Seattle. Which is a good thing for the Avs as it frees up $4mm and two years of term left.

Donskoi is solid, but a poor defensive player with a East west game on a north south team. He’s very replaceable. Combined, the Avs will get +$7mm in cap space and both guys had two years left of term.

Without retention or taking back bad contracts in the flat cap world? Sakic won’t cry over this deal or the ED now.

 

[McJedi]

Before the trade, the Avs' D depth chart was as follows:

Makar
Toews
Girard
Johnson
Byram
Graves
MacDonald
Timmins

He would have been a permanent fixture on the 3rd pair if Johnson and Byram are healthy

MacDonald isn’t ahead of Timmins. It’s not even close.

you probably have Johnson too high as well. Johnson is an expensive 3rd pair at this stage of his career.

 

[Spirits]

Graves for pick 50ish in a c**p shoot draft? Absolutely NJ wins.

You should watch Graves play before you make this declaration. The guy is a out of his element in any top 4 role.

 

[Spirits]

cool and he could also help the devils fix their situation. colorado is gonna hunt for jones, get him, and then regret him

If Jones isn’t an upgrade over Graves I’ll realize everything I know in life is a god damn lie.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Graves attempted 11 shots combined in games 5 and 6 against Vegas.

10 of those 11 shots were blocked and 2 of them led to direct, game-winning goals against.

His brain doesn’t work.

I mean, making blanket statements based on 2 games is one of the sillier things you can do