I think those last five all could and should earn a shot to stick at the NHL level next season, especially until O’Connor is healthy. We need to get some younger players some meaningful minutes at the NHL if we hope to extend the current Cup window. So why not see what we have with some of these guys? Maybe Cale’s brother explodes to become a Nichushkin-type power forward; maybe Bardakov and Prishchepov pave the way for older, lower drafted Russians becoming commonplace in the NHL; Maybe Ivan becomes the next Evan Rodrigues (undrafted, mid-sized, versatile, missing piece forward); and maybe Brindley becomes the next Brad Marchand (who, let’s not forget, was a 3rd rounder in 2006).

We’ll never know if we don’t give them the opportunity!

I think moving Drury up to the the third line makes sense. I like Colton’s game and wish he could stay healthy. Seems like a lot of posters are ready to run him out of town. For what, is my standard answer? Colton was missed in the Dallas series, IMHO. I believe they’ll resign Malinski and lock him for at least 3 years. While he’s not physical, he’s gotten better each year and he definitely has skating & offensive talent. Some work to do on the “D,” for sure.

What I find interesting about MacFarland’s comments on Drury is that they may try him at 3C and then get a more defensive oriented 4C. A third line of Colton-Drury-O’Connor could be a line that chips in some offense. I do not think Ivan will be the 4C, but I could see the team trying to get someone like Bjugstad or Glass to be the 4C and then guys like Ivan and Bardakov can vie for the wing spot. Both will play a lot until O’Connor returns. Bjugstad could be the 3C allowing Drury to remain on the 4th line. Whoever is the 3C has to be able to move up to 2C in case of injury.

If the Avs can get Perbix, I would try to move Manson. The money saved would help with getting a big 3rd pair d-man to play with Malinski. If the Avs can get Schmidt, then try to move Girard. I think someone like Dumoulin would be a good to pair with Malinski. He is solid, big, and I think could be a good mentor for Malinski. Ideally I would try to get all 3 and trade both Girard and Manson. You would still have some money to get some help with the bottom 6, pay Malinski, and be able to keep an extra forward and d-man on the roster.

Colton is now the glaring problem on the roster. He needs to play like his dollars or be moved.

If Colton can be moved, they should do it. Otherwise Girard and Manson are the obvious pieces. One or two bigger (but not too slow) defensemen would be a fantastic add.