Very similar to how Darcy Keumper played for a bad Arizona team in the bubble.

I think most of the expressed angst about losing Kovalenko has more to with him being “our guy” rather than what his actual ceiling is. The Avs have not done well drafting and developing later picks and here was a 6th round pick that we got excited about while he was in the KHL and then he was inserted right into the Avs lineup once he came over! Exciting stuff but if it wasn’t for all of the injuries, I don’t think he would have gotten so many looks in the top 6.

The more I watched him the more I agree with your take. It’s possible he becomes a true top 6 NHL forward but think what we’re seeing now is closer to his ceiling than floor. Best to trade while his value is “high” rather than hang onto a guy that would barely crack the top 12 on a fully healthy Avs team

My initial reaction was that Blackwood should have cost Kovy OR a second round pick. But maybe that’s how toxic Georgie is right now.

Again props to CMac for finding solutions and removing problems. He’s maybe not great at the actual negotiation.

If he was in real estate, I’d hire him to find me the right house, but not to negotiate the purchase price.

Yes, plenty expensive, and the Mittelstadt comparison is apt.

I think this is MacFarland’s approach for this team. He is only going to make a big move when it is necessary, and probably obvious to the league, and he’s going to get the right guy. Which means he will be paying a big price for a specific piece.

I think a lot of us wish he would also do more shopping for smart buys as well – undervalued players, waivers, etc. Look for the next Nuke. Be the team that takes advantage of other team’s problems. We can carry a reclamation project or two.

We haven’t done a whole lot of that since MacFarland took over. I guess maybe Drouin, but hard to give too much credit when every message board had been suggesting that for a couple of years.

The Avs already have most of their top 6 locked up (with plans to re-sign Rantanen). Regardless of where you saw him with the Avs, a winger is easier to replace than a center or defenseman. It would have stung much more if the Sharks wanted Malinski

Definitely a top 9 forward, 3rd liner at worst