The Colorado Avalanche are pushing to re-sign several of their pending unrestricted free agents, including goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports that Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic met with Kuemper’s representatives this morning in Montreal, and though there is no agreement yet, both sides want to continue talking as we inch toward free agent frenzy.
Kuemper, 32, is one of only four real UFA goalies who represent starting options, along with Marc-Andre Fleury, Ville Husso, and Jack Campbell (though each has their own question marks). Given his performance in the playoffs–good, but not great–it would certainly make sense for him to stay put, where the powerhouse Avalanche squad can provide the best chance at another championship.
Still, the Avalanche likely don’t want to give out the same money or years that Kuemper might be able to land elsewhere, since they have some other huge names to sign this year and next. Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen stand out this year (assuming Nazem Kadri has priced himself out), while Nathan MacKinnon will be signing a massive extension.
That same situation played out last summer when Philipp Grubauer landed a massive deal from the Seattle Kraken that the Avalanche couldn’t match. They needed the money to keep Gabriel Landeskog and proved they could win with a different goaltender. With that history in mind, Kuemper’s camp will know that Sakic is willing to walk away if the number gets too high.
Though it’s unclear what would be Colorado’s next move if it happens, LeBrun writes that people around the league see the Avalanche as the “perfect landing spot” for Fleury, should Kuemper go elsewhere in free agency.
Food for thought – how many heads will explode *IF* Naz re-signs, and somebody else gets pitched overboard, instead? (Season to taste)
I don’t know if many will explode. Seems like it’s a question as to if Colorado wants to keep Kadri or Nichushkin now because Kuemper is a guaranteed in.
If Nuke goes, someone gets an impressive defensive top 6. If Naz goes, they get a power forward with upside. As a fan, Colorado could work with one or the other easily IMO. Win-win.
@jawman74 – The reason I used those words is that so many are practically rooting for him not to stay, so he can get paid elsewhere. The Avs may be his best landing spot, chemistry-wise, but it remains to be seen how he views potentially being in the playoffs for the rest of his career, as opposed to being a check collector on another team. I think it’s also similar for Nichushkin, since most experts are still mystified as to how he has developed into such an impact player after being on the scrap heap. Both guys will be interesting stories to watch in the coming weeks, that’s for sure.
Honestly, I think both have their upsides and downsides, but like I said it’s coming to the point where Colorado has to pick one or the other. Both have potential drawbacks, but neither are going to fall off a cliff if you ask me.
Kadri is a fine forward and is probably the safer option for Colorado because it assures another piece of the top six is kept with Burakovsky’s status uncertain, and because he’s proven. Whether or not he’s at a point per game next season is an unknown, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he gets close. Discipline shouldn’t be a problem either, I’d like to say he’s learned from that, but again I can’t tell the future. I don’t personally think his disciplinary history is a potential negative factor, but at the same time it should be in the back of GMs’ minds.
I can say right now as a Stars fan Nichushkin was strangled by his inconsistency, injury, and poor coaching. The defensive play was always there but he had never found a way to synthesize that and offense (hence the 0 goal 18-19 season). With better coaching in Colorado he found his stride and became the forward Dallas drafted him to be almost a decade ago. He is a good player now, but that’s a gamble because any team that wants him–Colorado or otherwise–is going to desire and benefit from consistent play.
With that said, I think Kadri is gonna stay, Nuke will walk. Both will get decent deals with short term, with an extension on the table later. I think Nuke gets 2 years at 5M per; expires when he’s 29, which is about at his prime and should be a long enough time to tell if he can be consistent and get a raise. Kadri is a bit harder, but my gut is that he gets 2 years at 6.5-7M per, which like the Nuke idea gives him time to prove himself and leaves room for a longer extension.
Non-Avs fans talking about Kadri’s issues are like non-white people using the N word, at least according to everyone in Colorado. The guys a slug.
How about Franky take over the number one job
With Fleury to help out would be interesting.
Let Kadri walk.
Well, given your history with this stuff, I am now convinced that keeping his must be the right move.
Let Kuemper walk. That money would be better spent on Kadri, Nichuskin, or Burakovsky. They could’ve won the Cup with Francouz in net. Kuemper was the weakest link on this stacked team.
True dat