**** Official 2024-25 NHL Thread ****

[Bearcat]

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I kindof assumed the 'lance had just written Nichuskin off altogether.

But I guess if you have to carry the salary either way, there's nothing hurt by hoping he returns.

As for Landeskog - man it's been awhile. And he's what, 32 now? He's approaching that veteran decline stage anyway and has so much rust. I think you maybe just hope to get flashes from him here and there. If you're lucky, you get it when they matter most.

But I think you have to look at both of those guys combined and figure that if they can get you 50 points this year between them, that's a win.

Agree on Landy. Nichushkin should be a solid contributor if he can actually keep from getting suspended, though. Neither situation is ideal, but we'll see how it plays out. Much like the Chiefs, the question is who they'll have in the playoffs - not October.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, they're both signed through 2029 and AFAIK there isn't shit the Avalanche can do about Nichushkin's contract unless I'm guessing he gets kicked out of the league.. or unless some team really wants him while the Avalanche retain half his salary.

Sucks to think what may have been with both in the lineup the past couple seasons.


(and kudos on the 'lance, heh)

Oh wow - you have 5 years left on Landeskog? I knew you had Nichuskin for quite awhile still but I figured there were maybe 2 years tops left on Landeskog.

Yeah, that's what, $15 million/season on the cap for another 5 seasons?

Fortunately for Colorado, the league's coming out of the flat cap era so that won't be as crippling as it could've been. Makar's contract still provides some surplus value. MacKinnon is at market but odds are good he'll play to that figure. Rantanen is a FA this offseason though - you might feel those deals then. He's probably looking at a 6 year deal in excess of $12 million/season. And then THAT deal starts to run into Makar's free agency.

And I don't even know who their goalie is long-term. I can't imagine they'll break in a young guy when they're in the middle of cup window. If you sign Mikko you'll almost have to trade for a goalie and that's probably going to be a guy making in the $6-8 million/season range, no? I almost wonder if they won't at least make a call on Binnington at that point.

Hell, at that point, do you have enough space to actually ice a complete roster? I wonder if they have any choice but run Annunen out there more this season and hope he runs with the job. So then they can pay HIM the following season.

Yeah - you guys are fine now, but in a couple seasons that's gonna create some headaches isn't it?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Oh wow - you have 5 years left on Landeskog? I knew you had Nichuskin for quite awhile still but I figured there were maybe 2 years tops left on Landeskog.

Yeah, that's what, $15 million/season on the cap for another 5 seasons?

Fortunately for Colorado, the league's coming out of the flat cap era so that won't be as crippling as it could've been. Makar's contract still provides some surplus value. MacKinnon is at market but odds are good he'll play to that figure. Rantanen is a FA this offseason though - you might feel those deals then. He's probably looking at a 6 year deal in excess of $12 million/season. And then THAT deal starts to run into Makar's free agency.

And I don't even know who their goalie is long-term. I can't imagine they'll break in a young guy when they're in the middle of cup window. If you sign Mikko you'll almost have to trade for a goalie and that's probably going to be a guy making in the $6-8 million/season range, no? I almost wonder if they won't at least make a call on Binnington at that point.

Hell, at that point, do you have enough space to actually ice a complete roster? I wonder if they have any choice but run Annunen out there more this season and hope he runs with the job. So then they can pay HIM the following season.

Yeah - you guys are fine now, but in a couple seasons that's gonna create some headaches isn't it?

It depends on what happens with them. If Landy can actually play but isn't very good, you're right that it would be pretty painful. If he just can't play through the injury (which is still a possibility) and just stays on LTIR every year or retires, he gets the cash but doesn't count against the cap.

Same deal with Nichushkin (kind of). If he can't stay clean, he won't be on the roster and won't count against the cap. If he can, then presumably he should be as good as we thought he would be (unless it was something like painkillers helping him to play better).

So in short, they'll cost Kroenke a lot of money either way, but the cap issue shouldn't be so bad unless they CAN play but play POORLY.

[DaFace]

One of the more bizarre things one could be known for.

Ivan Ivan's officially into the history books books! ���� #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/VUArauP2Vg

— NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2024

For what it's worth, his name is technically pronounced EE-vahn EE-vahn, but he likes the "nickname" EYE-vun EYE-vun. So weird.

[Bearcat]

And I feel like Landeskog would retire before he spends significant time playing at a 4th line or worse level.

Nichushkin is probably a far bigger risk of playing like ass (or being suspended again) and not being able to move him (not that I expect him to play like ass).

[Bearcat]

Random note on interesting names... I wish Kaapo Kakko was on the Avalanche so I could yell his name when he scores a goal... because it's just fun to yell Kaapo Kakko!!