Question from jedwin7<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been reported that Mikhail Gulyayev has signed a two-year extension to stay in the KHL. Is this his own decision, or did he have input from the Avs before making it? Does this change anything with him, and do you feel like he\u2019s still a part of the long-term plans? Would he have good trade value if the team decides he isn\u2019t?<\/p>\n
Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n
Gulyayev has, in fact, signed a two-year deal with Avangard that will keep him in the KHL through the end of the 2027-28 season. I don\u2019t have confirmation on this part, but I don\u2019t think the Avs played a part in his decision to stay. If anything, they\u2019d probably want to get him to Loveland to further his development under their watch, but Russian players aren\u2019t always willing to make that jump unless the NHL is closer to a guarantee. And I just don\u2019t think he\u2019s there right now. <\/p>\n
I\u2019m not sure where this goes with Gulyayev, but I wouldn\u2019t count on him being a factor for the Avalanche anytime soon. If, in two years, he\u2019s looking like a stud and worthy of NHL consideration, we\u2019ll circle back. And if that time comes, I\u2019m sure the Avs hope it goes better than the Nikolai Kovalenko experience after all the hype around him coming to North America. <\/p>\n
Question from JDY<\/p>\n
Who are the top 3 most likely Avs to be traded during the offseason?<\/p>\n
Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n
The three easiest names that come to mind for me are Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Valeri Nichushkin. But you could also convince me that Nic Roy is in that conversation.<\/p>\n
Colton is an obvious candidate, as his $4 million cap hit is a luxury this team can no longer afford. When you look back at his three-year Avalanche tenure as a whole, it\u2019s nowhere close to as productive as what he, or the team, probably thought it would be. It\u2019s unfortunate, but the writing is on the wall that he\u2019s probably going to have a new home before next season. The Avs were also shopping him before the deadline to clear cap space. <\/p>\n
Drury is on this list simply because he\u2019s a restricted free agent that they tried to sign during the season, but couldn\u2019t come to terms on a deal that made sense for both sides. From what I\u2019ve heard, Drury is aiming for a higher number than what the Avalanche are willing to commit to a fourth-line center. His availability is obviously contingent on if they do or don\u2019t come to terms.<\/p>\n
If they end up signing him, I can see Roy being an option to trade if Sakic decides to allocate that cap space to other parts of the lineup. I\u2019m a big fan of Roy\u2019s game, and I think he could be a really good piece for the Avs in a full season. So we\u2019ll see on this one.<\/p>\n
As for Nichushkin, longtime followers of mine will know just how much I adore and value this player. He was an absolute machine for the Avalanche from the 2021-22 season through New Year\u2019s Eve on Dec. 31, 2024. Since then, I just don\u2019t think he\u2019s been as effective.<\/p>\n
I was looking forward to 2025-26 being Nichushkin\u2019s big breakout year. With Gabe Landeskog back in the fold and a permanent 2C in Brock Nelson, I thought for sure he would have a breakout year. It didn\u2019t happen. And his playoffs were just average.<\/p>\n
Given that he makes $6.125 million against the cap (and far less in actual dollars) over the next four years, I can see Sakic trying to refresh his top six by moving Nichushkin to bring in someone younger. It just seems like the most likely scenario of the top six (unless Artturi Lehkonen\u2019s extension talks go sideways, but I\u2019m not sure if those have even begun).<\/p>\n
Question from Brad J.<\/p>\n
Did the Avalanche pay Brent Burns his bonus out of this year\u2019s cap, or does the $2 million roll over to next season?<\/p>\n
Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n
Brent Burns made $3 million in bonuses, but the Avalanche ended the season with right around $700,000 in cap space. Because of that, the remaining $2.3 million or so will roll over to next year\u2019s salary cap. So you\u2019re pretty spot on with your question.<\/p>\n