I have to admit, I didn’t see the second part of this coming. The Avs have re-signed Adam Foote and John-Michael Liles. Foote’s deal is being reported as 2 years at $3 million a season and Liles’ is a whopping 4 year deal at a bit over $4 million per. It seems like each player took about a million (or so) less than they could command on the open market. I am ecstatic (and surprised) to see both back. That’s two solid re-signings by Francois Giguere; it’s a nice recovery after a couple of questionable trades this offseason.
The signings puts the Avalanche at a payroll of about $40 million, giving them $15-$16 million to spend in free agency. I think it’s safe to say that they won’t be chasing too many defensemen on July 1st - that money should be all earmarked for forwards (including Super Joe) and a goalie.
DD - Great news that just came hott of the press!
No matter how much Footer plays his presence in the locker room is just as valuable as on the ice!
Great job by Giguire to make a big statement to the fans (and Super Joe) that we are still competing for the division and the Stanley Cup!
Wasn’t sure whether liles would be back or not, only that it would have been extremely stupid to let him walk for nothing- when we didn’t trade him at the deadline I thought there was a better than even chance he was coming back. Still, I’ve been a little critical of the avs’ moves thus far this off season so nothing would have surprised me. Good move on fg’s part at getting two quality d-men re-signed for less than market value (I’m sure some r-tard gm would’ve given liles 4.5 or 5 a year if he’d gone the ufa route). Here’s hoping he’ll regain some offense under tg, and retain the defensive ability he’s picked up.
I am extremely happy about this. I’d like the Avs to sign Sauer or Finger to give them a little depth at Defense, but overall I think this is a good move.
Both guys certainly signed under their free agent values for sure. Columbus fans will be quick to be ticket off, I’m really looking forward to the next hit piece in the Columbus papers because Foote didn’t demand the 3.5 million from the Avs.
Here is a hard question, who do you trust more on the back line? Leopold or Finger? Man, there’s just no room for anyone else now. Would it be too much to ask to still sign Finger then use either he, Cumiskey or Leopold as trade bait? Nigel Williams is still a year of AHL away. Shattenkirk and Cohen are at least two to three years away. The defense is looking pretty good barring injuries. Lots of depth and a good mix of grit and puck movement.
Dario, I think we may be done on D. As it stands, we look like (pairings are a complete guess):
Foote / Clark
Hannan / Liles
Salei / Leopold
depth = Cumiskey or ?
I’d prefer to see Cumiskey get more time in the AHL rather than languishing as a 7th on the big club, but he’s probably the front runner for that last slot atm. If Sauer or Finger sign cheap, they’d work, but I really doubt they’d sign as a 7th guy.
Rolston still doesn’t appear to be headed to TB despite that trade, so I’d really like to see him signed. He’s a great insurance policy for Joe (he can play any forward spot) and he’d work great on a PP point with Liles, plus he’s a stellar defender. It would be pretty hilarious to trade Bruno and Rolston like that too.
The Avs need defensive depth. They have a steller top 6, but the Wild and Canucks are exhibits A and B why depth is needed on defense for a top team.
The Avs don’t have to break the bank, but they should be signing at least 1 more defender, and maybe even 2. I think Finger is better suited to that role than Sauer (who should be a top 3 guy somewhere)
With the these two signings, it is most likely that at least one of the remaining two (Sauer or Finger) will be out, and possibly both. I would like to see wither of them back, preferably Finger. I’m still not sold on Leopold, I wouldn’t mind him sharing duties with Finger/Sauer.
Rolston wouldn’t be a bad pick up…
I agree Jibble, Finger is far more likely as a 7th than Sauer. I think he works well in that role too. The question is whether he will accept a 7th D role…
I’m not sure he will. I think last season he earned a regular lineup spot for some team. I really want to see him back, but if he leaves I could hardly blame him if he felt like there wasn’t room for him here.
Yes, I think we still need a d-man, because the odds of leopold playing the whole season are as good as tyler arnason scoring against anybody but the oilers. The wild and canucks comparison is good- we need the depth, and cumisky is more suited to the offensive d side than the stay at home side- plus i also wouldn’t want to see him as a 7th. I think finger is a better fit in this role.