REPORT: Avalanche Likely to Trade Top Player Due to the Salary Cap

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Aaron
August 22, 2023 (11:14)

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In 2022, the Colorado Avalanche clinched the Stanley Cup and they're hungry for another victory. Despite having a team that's championship-ready, their cap flexibility may not be.

Retaining Toews is Crucial

Cale Makar is either the best or second best player on the Avalanche, but it's crucial not to overlook Devon Toews. He's not just underrated in the league but also forms a vital defensive pairing with Makar.

While Makar is the spotlight, Toews with his top-tier analytics serves as an invaluable counterpart. As he nears free agency, the Avalanche must prioritize retaining him, especially considering his significant contribution to Makar's performance. Unfortunately, The Athletic speculates that Toews could command between $8-million and $10.3-million on a long-term deal, a massive risk, especially as he's nearing 30.

Upcoming Free Agents Challenge

The salary cap might be rising, but the Avalanche will have to face the contracts of Mikko Rantanen, Bowen Byram, and Alexander Georgiev in 2025. The team would of course want to retain these players. This might leave Samuel Girard in a tricky position. Even though he has contributed significantly to the Avalanche, his $5-million deal might be more valuable elsewhere, leading to a likely trade sometime this season.

FULL STORY: COLORADO AVALANCHE Trade Likely as Avalanche Prep For Devon Toews Contract Talks.