We had an overwhelming amount of questions come through our Mailbag and decided it was best to split it into two different posts.
Daytona 500 Critics Are WRONG – Here’s Why This Race Mattered!
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If you don’t see your question below, then keep an eye out for Colleen Flynn’s Mailbag later today. She’s got the rest
Thanks to everyone who participated.
Question from Joe Cerwinske
Some Olympics-related questions
1. How many players do you think the Avs could have in next year’s tournament?
2. Is there any scenario where Russian players can participate, whether for their country or an unaffiliated nation? If they are, would Nichushkin be a top-six player on that team, if he keeps himself clean?
3. Martin Necas would likely play for Czechia, but how about Ivan Ivan as well?
4. Is Team Canada low-key rooting for the Avs and Mackenzie Blackwood so he can assert himself as their legit go-to goalie?
Aarif’s Response
1. That’s such a tough question to answer because the roster is likely going to change a lot between now and then. But if we’re strictly going off of this current roster, I’d wager that Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews are all locks for Team Canada. Necas is a lock for Czechia, Artturi Lehkonen with Finland, and Nichushkin with Russia if they participate.
I’d also guess that Blackwood has a great chance to make Team Canada and, if healthy and playing well, Gabriel Landeskog would represent Sweden.
But that’s about it. Up to four Canadians, one Russian, one Swede, one Finn, and one Czech for a total of eight representatives. I’d also predict that each of these eight is still on the roster next season (unless Landeskog retires). So if anything, the only ones I’m missing would be players that are later added to the roster.
I don’t think either Juuso Parssinen or Joel Kiviranta would crack Team Finland. Nobody else sticks out.
2. I think Russia will participate, probably under the “Olympic Athletes of Russia” moniker. But I’m also predicting this without any idea of how the IIHF and IOC feel about Russia right now.
Nichushkin cracking the top six would be tough. You could all but likely lock in Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, and Nikita Kucherov into three of those winger spots. Then you have an aging Alex Ovechkin, who this year would be ahead of Nichushkin. And that doesn’t include wildcard top-six guys like Andrei Svechnikov and Matvei Michkov. I’d say Nichushkin is probably on the third line and works his way up if any of Panarin, Svechnikov, or Michkov (all non-defensive players) struggle to produce offense.
3. Ivan would just barely crack the top-12 or top-13 forwards if it were NHL-only representatives. If there’s a solid Czech forward or two in Europe that I’m not familiar with, then Ivan wouldn’t be there.
4. I think they just want stability in general. Whether it’s Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, Logan Thompson, Darcy Kuemper, or Blackwood. If Binnington wins the tournament this year, they’ll feel fine with him no matter what his numbers look like next season. But I do believe Blackwood has a great shot at taking over starting duties.
Read More: Should Mackenzie Blackwood Have Played in 4 Nations Face-Off?
Question from Aaron Grady
I’m guessing Landeskog comes back in the playoffs as a third or fourth liner and a sometimes healthy scratch. Now what? He’s too expensive for that role. Could he go back on LTIR and then retire? Is there insurance money the team uses in that case? Sounds like the Chris Pronger scenario but I don’t know.
Aarif’s Response
Landeskog returning to complete health and struggling to perform would be the worst-case scenario. I’m of the belief that even if he gets back to full health, it’ll take some time for him to get back to being the guy we remember. If his knee issues are figured out, I do think he can get there.
But in regards to your question, he could go back on LTIR anytime he suffers a setback. And if that setback is the end of the road for him, he can do what Pronger did and just stay on LTIR and unofficially retire until his contract expires.
Question from Glendon Gulliver
Do you think the Avs really will try to trade Casey Mittelstadt? Rumor was the team was willing to trade him for J.T. Miller.
Aarif’s Response
The rumor is confirmed. The Avs asked about Miller and the deal would’ve involved Mittelstadt. The discussions didn’t get far, though.
I do think they’ll trade him. I wouldn’t have said this a month ago but after the Mikko Rantanen deal, I just can’t see the front office waiting around. They need production now. They want to win now.
Three games into the season, I predicted that the Avs would start the playoffs with two goalies not named Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen. I was right, albeit I didn’t expect the trades to happen that quickly. I figured maybe closer to the deadline.
So here’s my next crazy prediction: I think two of Miles Wood, Ross Colton, and Mittelstadt will be off the roster by March 7. And I think neither of them will be on the team next fall when training camp opens. That’s how aggressive this front office is.
Question from Doug Y.
Assuming Mikko’s production continues at the rate it’s been since the move to Carolina, how much would the dip affect his next deal, whether with Carolina or a new team if he’s traded again or makes it to UFA status? Is there a cautionary tale here for holding out for top dollar when your production is bolstered by playing alongside one of the best?
Aarif’s Response
If the rest of Rantanen’s season isn’t up to par with his usual production, I do believe it’ll deter some teams from offering him top dollar. More specifically, I can see contenders like Carolina or Toronto or whichever other potential destination think twice about offering him $13 million-plus.
But, I think the Chicago’s and San Jose’s of the world would still offer him crazy money. So if he struggles the rest of the season, he’d probably have to decide between the best offer from a non-playoff team or lesser dollars to play for a good team. I’m genuinely intrigued to see how this all plays out. Carolina still wants to keep him. But does he want to stay there?
Also, before you ask, Toronto isn’t rumored to be interested in him. I just use them as an example because if Mitch Marner walks, they’ll have money to throw at Rantanen to replace him if he’s interested.
I also believe most superstar players are watching this closely. I don’t have any sources close to Rantanen’s agent, but it feels like he drew a hard line and forced MacFarland’s hand without Rantanen completely understanding that a trade could suddenly happen in January. It seems like the agent overplayed his hand. Other superstars would be smart to ensure they’re more involved in future negotiations if they like their current situation and don’t want to be traded. We know Rantanen didn’t want this.
There’s a fine line between getting top dollar and forcing the GM to trade you.
Question from Quix
What are your thoughts on Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Drouin and Nichushkin-Mittelstadt-Necas line pairings? Could this help Mittelstadt regain some form and also spread the current top-line speed for better zone entry? Lehkonen and Nichushkin could be swapped if that would be better. I love Necas and MacKinnon together, but also feel like we need to reenergize our other lines. I am aware of the current 2C trade speculations.
Aarif’s Response
I’m honestly at the point where any decision being made to reenergize Mittelstadt is the wrong one. He’s had plenty of opportunities over the past eight-to-12 weeks to figure things out. He still might, and it would save the Avs from needing to explore the trade market. That’s the best-case scenario. But I’m not willing to break up Necas and MacKinnon for that reason. Lehkonen has been great with that duo and probably would remain on the top line when Nichushkin first returns. But if a change is needed, they can swap.
All four of these wingers are great players and Mittelstadt shouldn’t need to be coddled to get his game back. If he can’t produce with Drouin and Nichushkin, for example, then I don’t think Necas will make much of a difference. Mittelstadt has had chemistry with Lehkonen, Drouin, and Nichushkin in the past. He can do it again. If not, the team will move on.
Question from Makar For Captain
I recently read that Jordan Kyrou is up for trades. Would the Avs attempt to trade for him? He’s signed long-term with an $8 million cap hit and could be the 2C.
Aarif’s Response
I don’t think so. He plays mostly on the wing now. Acquiring another winger and trying to shift them to center is undoubtedly not what Chris MacFarland prefers. He needs someone to lock into that role once and for all.
First Question from Jason — Second from Mark Krempasky
1. Any chance Mikko comes back when he becomes a UFA this summer?
2. What if MacFarland and Rantanen make up, Rantanen signs with the Avs in free agency for 12.6M, and the Avs can keep Necas and Drury in the 25/26 season? What if?
Aarif’s Response
I’m going to answer both of these together. I think it’s a very, very low chance Rantanen comes back. But, hear me out.
If he struggles in Carolina and gets traded again before March 7 and struggles with a third team, then what? He enters free agency and, as I said before, could either choose to sign for more with a bad team or less with a good team. What if he decides Colorado is where he prefers to stay? Would he take less than his previous demands? Maybe.
But if he does, would the Avalanche want him back? I could only see them being interested if Landeskog’s return fails and he retires before July 1. But even then, there’s no way MacFarland offers $12.6 million. It would be less.
Like I said, extremely unlikely scenario, but I wouldn’t rule it out. I’d give it like a 5% chance of happening.
Question from Dk
1. We all know head coach Jared Bednar likes to overplay his top line. I’ve noticed he also does this with his goalies. With 25 games remaining, will we see Scott Wedgewood play any more than two or three games down the stretch?
2. If the Avs lay an egg for the rest of this season and have another weak showing in the playoffs, what are the chances we may see a new coach and/or coaching staff next season?
Aarif’s Response
1. I think if the Avalanche are fighting for their playoff lives down the stretch, you’ll see a lot more of Blackwood than Wedgewood. That’s for sure. But I don’t think there’s any scenario where Wedgewood only plays three of the 25 games. On the low end, I’d say he plays six. That’s the equivalent of 20 games for a backup and 62 for a starter over a full season.
Colorado also has five sets of back-to-backs remaining.
2. I don’t think he’s on the hot seat and it would probably take a lot for him to be fired between now and the start of training camp in September. I mean sure, if the Avalanche lose 10 straight coming out of the break and fall way out of the playoff picture, then maybe it happens. Or if they barely make the playoffs and get swept and embarrassed, then maybe they consider it. But I don’t think he gets fired in any realistic scenario. I’d put it at almost a zero percent chance.
Question from Justin H.
What are the odds we can get Seth Jones? I’d love to see the homegrown talent on this team.
Aarif’s Response
I wrote about Jones in my most recent trade board. I would love the Avs to get him but it would need to make sense. Can you acquire him without giving up Calum Ritchie? Is he worth Mikhail Gulyayev and a high draft pick as part of the package? More importantly, is Chicago willing to eat at least $3 million? Would they take a cap dump back?
Anything more than $6.5 million for Jones would be tough to fit into the cap structure. But again, I’d love to have him it made sense.
Question from NecasDrury
Do you think MacKinnon will talk to Sidney Crosby at the 4 Nations Face-Off while they play on the same line? Would Crosby be crazy enough to want to stay in Pittsburgh? Only fools don’t change their minds.
Aarif’s Response
I don’t see any scenario where MacKinnon isn’t at least floating the idea to Crosby. Will Crosby listen? That’s an entirely different question.
This tournament has already proven that Crosby is still a top-five player in this league and has what it takes to win. I would easily trade Mittelstadt, Ritchie, and a first-round pick for him. But the decision is his to make. Maybe winning this thing with MacKinnon will get him to start thinking about it. Low chance it happens, but I guess we’ll see.
Question from Gabrielle
With the sudden recent uptick in problematic penalties, do you think that Wood has possibly signed his own exit papers? It certainly doesn’t feel good.
Aarif’s Response
I don’t think the Avs intended on keeping him past this season anyway. He signed a six-year deal where the first two years pay out a total of $6.5 million. That leaves just $8.5 million for the last four years. MacFarland openly admitted in 2023 that he gave Wood six years to bring the AAV down.
But as the season has gone on, Wood has only made it easier to decide to move on from him. The problem is, the worse he plays, the harder it is to trade him.
Question from Kathryn Bartlett
Jack Drury has spent time the past couple of seasons at 2C for Carolina. Do you think that Bednar might try him in that position at some point if there isn’t more production from that line?
Aarif’s Response
I think Bednar will try anything, including that, to get the second line to produce more consistently. We’ve already seen him demote Mittelstadt at times, and it seems like he’s well past the idea of putting Colton back at center. It’s not ideal, but I can see Drury slot in for a short stint.
I just can’t imagine the Avs not trading for a 2C if Mittelstadt is still struggling leading up to the deadline. Only six games separate the Avalanche from March 7 so there isn’t a lot of time to figure things out.
