I’m thinking, and I can be wrong, is that if Nichuskin does not participate in his active treatment, then his contract can be terminated. Given Evan’s new article on Nichuskin participating in his Russian co-ed league this summer, that may be the signal that he understands the situation that the team does not want him back and he is going to allow his contract to be terminated. The questions is if he demonstrates immediately non-compliance, does the CBA allow the contract to be terminated sooner than the six-month time period? If that is the case, and it can be terminated prior to July 1, then suddenly the Avs have some new cash to work with.

Good points Glendon. I think Woods has a M-ntc also.

The Avs need a top 6 forward if the plan is to move Nichushkin upon his return. Drouin would fix that. I have also mentioned if it would be cheaper to move Colton to 2nd line wing and get a cheaper, but more defensive minded 3C. If Drouin signs, the Colton would most likely remain the 3C.

You are right that Girard has been a very capable d-man. The issue with him has always been his cap hit. Could the team do better getting 2 bodies for his price? If the team feels it needs to get bigger, especially on defense, moving Girard could help that.

Starting July 1st, the only Av regulars that do not have a NMC or NTC are MIttelstadt, O’Connor, and Makar. Colton’s NTC and Girard’s M-NTC start July 1st. Cap space with Landeskog will be very limited and someone, like Girard, may have to be a cap hit casualty.

I get a minus but not an answer to my question. LOL. You guys can’t even be honest with yourselves!

To choose Girard over Drouin is nuts. With that said, I’ve recently been saying we should trade Colton to keep Drouin so I am not even targeting Girard. If we keep him we keep him. He is a solid defenseman with good puck moving skills, average to good defensive play, an average wrist shot, and a below average slapshot, but neither Malinksi or Behrens can come in and replicate that apparently.

For now, it appears that they want to copy the Avs and come up with nothing original.

BEST PUCK MOVER? Damn, you Girard lovers really put those rose-tinted glasses on THICK! Better than Makar?!

BamaBoy59, you will have to learn that on this site, NOTHING bad can be said about Girard. According to his cult supporters, he is our best player and so instrumental to our team that he is untradeable!

He had his best season (if you take out the chunk of games he missed to be in rehab) no doubt. Trade him while his stock is high and before July 1 when his no trade clause kicks in for the final three years of his contract.

Let me ask all of you Girard cult supporters, if trading Girard meant re-signing Drouin, which player do you want?

I think they could officially change the first names of the entire roster to “Elder.”

They will be broke in 1 year, they won’t have any seats to sell after the players wives take up the whole arena!

I like the Utah Polygamists. Polygamy Porter can be the official beer of the team, because you can’t have just one and Five Wives Vodka can be the official spirit. So many possibilities!

You are such a low IQ fan. He had 5 points in 6 games. Didn’t have a great series by his standards, but playing with Miklo also slumping and Parise part of the time didn’t help. If you watched the post season and think Nate is the reason they are golfing, don’t know what to tell ya.