At $1.25M x 1, it’s a good deal for both sides. As you correctly point out, he’s a true 4th liner. Last regular season, Kivi had a crazy career high, outlier, shooting percent of 19%. It’s not repeatable. NHL GMs know this and it’s why he didn’t get the multi-yr deal that he wanted. He’ll be lucky to score 10 goals this year. His strength is forechecking, penalty killing, and generally playing D. He also has been invisible in the playoffs the past 2 years. His only impactful playoff game was when he was with the Stars and had a hat trick to eliminate the Avs in Game 7 of the 2nd round in the Edmonton bubble 2020. I think Bednar is dreaming of Kivi replicating that feat in the playoffs for the Avs.

I’m of the opinion that the Avs need a bigger body 3C (or punches above their size like Kadri) that’s hard to play against. A player that can push the pace, is a responsible 200-ft player, and can chip in 30+ pts/yr. They had that in Coyle and traded him to dump salary and Woods contract. Perhaps CMac has a master plan to add a larger body 3C that can skate to replace Coyle at less than $5M AAV? Time will tell.The current Avs roster has a decent 4th line (Kivi-Drury-Kelly) and one 3rd line player – Colton. They won’t compete for The SC with the current forward lineup, even when LOC returns.

This is a yawner transaction.

Shoulda kept Coyle.

Kivi could use a little more weight.

Kiviranta will probably play on the 3rd line due to no depth at all.

They still haven’t addressed the 3rd C role unless they plan on drury being there.

The top 6 is solid and then you look at the bottom six and its like wtf.

Agree. Charlie Coyle fit this profile.

He stunk in the postseason last year. And people like yourself that really pay attention will also remember about half of those 16 goals came in roughly 3 games lol (he had 2 hat tricks). And I’d be willing to bet he doesn’t even come close to double digits this year in goals. The 16 was an outlier. Look at his career overall, the over arching career statistics back that up.

With all that said I’m cool with him coming back & at the number they gave him. He can play NHL minutes on the 4th line. And kills penalties. It’s a hell of a lot better than the scrubs they have in Loveland.

But I agree with your broader point. This solves nothing in the bottom 6. And really doesn’t make them a deeper/tougher team to contend with come the postseason.

I agree with you.. outside of LOC, no one else on this roster brings it every single night like Kivi does. Scoring isn’t everything, he helps this team tremendously..wheelchair quarterbacks are plentiful on thus forum… it’s entertaining..

Bardakov, not Ivan. We can see if Ivan develops, but a -9 in 40 games last year. Too many mistakes.

Guy played 79 Games, put up 23 points and was a +15 last season and you don’t think he’s solid for 4th line @ $1.25M? This was a good deal and Kivi is a full-year 4th line guy that can play-up when needed and not make mistakes.