Question From Brad J.
Nic Roy’s play dependent obviously, but do you think the Avs will now try to move Jack Drury in the off-season since they were unable to sign him to a new deal, and arbitration looks probable?
Aarif’s Response
I have no sources on this, but I do think this is a real possibility now. I don’t believe the Avs would’ve traded for Roy had they acquired Nazem Kadri initially. But since they have both, and since Roy is making a respectable $3 million, I could see them choosing to move Drury rather than paying him whatever his ask is. That could also allow them to recoup some of the assets they gave up in the Roy and Kadri trades.
But I can also see a scenario where, if Drury comes in at a reasonable number for multiple years, they keep him at 4C and Roy as a third-line winger and as center depth. This would probably result in moving Ross Colton and his $4 million because, at some point, the math doesn’t add up.
Colorado already also has Kadri ($5.6 million), Logan O’Connor ($2.5 million), Parker Kelly ($1.7 million) locked up in the bottom six. If Roy and Colton both remain, and Drury signs for anywhere near the O’Connor and Roy deals, it’ll be too much money allocated to the bottom six. And this doesn’t account for Gavin Brindley potentially fighting for a full-time spot next year, too.
I also think it’s strange that Drury is one of the only expiring deals that didn’t sign an extension in advance. They locked up Kelly and Josh Manson last summer, a year away from free agency. They also signed pending UFA’s Sam Malinski, Scott Wedgewood, and Martin Necas during the season and a restricted free agent in Brindley. And then they acquired term with both Kadri and Roy. Drury is an RFA this summer but it’s still interesting that he hasn’t signed.
It makes me wonder if the Avs have tried but couldn’t reach the number Drury is asking for. Which, again, is just a guess on my part.
Question From Jean Boisjoly
Do you think Brent Burns will play with the Avs next season to break the Ironman record?
Aarif’s Response
This is a hard question to answer without seeing how the rest of the season and the playoffs go. But my gut says no. If Burns didn’t have the streak, I could easily see him signing as a third-pair option that could potentially be a healthy scratch, no different that the final years of Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson’s careers.
But if he’s signing to pass Phil Kessel, I can’t see the Avs management wanting to have that pressure to play him every night. But again, this could change if all goes well moving forward and into June.
Question From Rudy Volz
Valeri Nichuskin is a very big man. Why doesn’t he use his body, check more, and pound defensemen in the offensive zone?
Aarif’s Response
I wondered this a lot when they first signed him in 2019. But I think his relentless forecheck makes up for it. He also does a great job of using his reach to take the puck away, so it’s definitely one way he’s using his size to his advantage.
Question From Jedwin7
There are currently six numbers that have been retired by the Avalanche organization. Obviously, No. 8 (Cale Makar), No. 29 (Nathan MacKinnon), and No. 92 (Gabe Landeskog) will one day join them. I was curious, who else do you think will find their numbers in the Ball Arena rafters of current or recent players? Like, does the No. 6 of Erik Johnson deserve a place up there, or how about No. 7 or No. 91, if Devon Toews and Nazem Kadri retire as Avs?
Aarif’s Response
This might be a boring answer, but I don’t think anyone else gets there aside from the three you mentioned. 18 months ago, I would’ve added No. 96 to that list, but we know that won’t be the case now.
After No. 29, No. 92, and No. 8, it’ll probably be another generation before we see another jersey go up in the rafters. If I had to make a case for one of the others, it would be Johnson’s No. 6, given his longevity and popularity. I just don’t think it’ll happen for him.