The Avalanche could have a key winger back in the near future as head coach Jared Bednar told reporters including Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette (Twitter link) that Valeri Nichushkin is getting close to returning. He has been out since suffering a lower-body injury at the end of December. He also missed the first month of the campaign while being in the Player Assistance Program but when he has been in the lineup, Nichushkin has been quite productive. He has 11 goals and six assists through 21 games so far this season, good for eighth in team scoring despite missing more than half of their games.
Elsewhere out West:
- Oilers winger Viktor Arvidsson left yesterday’s game against Colorado late in the third after blocking a shot. However, Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic relays (Twitter link) that the undisclosed injury isn’t believed to be too serious. That’s certainly good news for Edmonton as the 31-year-old has been a solid performer for them when healthy. While he missed 15 games earlier in the campaign with an undisclosed injury, Arvidsson has picked up 15 points in 30 games thus far, giving them some much-needed secondary scoring.
- Given the number of teams believed to be looking for center help, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli believes that the Kraken could be able to receive a first-round pick for pending UFA middleman Yanni Gourde. It has been a fairly quiet year for the 33-year-old who has six goals and ten assists in 35 games thus far. However, as someone who can kill penalties, play an important defensive role, play the wing if needed, and has a track record of some playoff success, Gourde is sure to receive significant interest. However, Seattle will almost certainly have to pay down the contract, one that carries a $5.167MM price tag that few contenders can afford.
A 1st round pick for Gourde?!? That’s highly overpaying for a player who looks to be showing signs of some early decline. Gourde could be of value for a contending team sure but certainly not for that high price. Furthermore, not for a potential rental either (he’s a UFA after the season.)
Sadly, there will be a few team’s front offices dumb enough to pay it smh.
If multiple teams would be willing to pay a first round pick then it would not be an overpay – that would be the market value set by multiple bidders. See, you don’t determine market value – it is determined by supply/demand economics.
First off, I never said I determine the market value lol as that’s a baseless assumption. But technically it is overpay from a micro stat standpoint. He’s not objectively of value of 1st round pick. The trade deadline market tends to overvalue a player’s actual worth. Many GMs have talked about this extensively.
I don’t think there be multiple bidders offering a 1st round pick for Gourde but there will be potentially one team desperate enough that will probably do it (& backfire in the end on them).
Again, you are attempting to determine a player’s value based on some abstract micro stat standpoint that you are making up. You tell us that you are not attempting to determine player value while telling us that this player is not objectively not worthy of a first round pick. Player value is determined by what a team is willing to pay. You can ramble all day long about overpay and underpay, but player value is determined by what a team is willing to pay. Whether it is one team paying or multiple teams bidding, value is determined by the best offer or offer accepted. Simple, day-one economics.
A 3C that plays Selke-caliber defense and can step up to 2C is certainly worth the late first round pick a contender would be able to give. Everyone hears first round pick and thinks it’s a top 10, but in deadline trades that seldom the case.
Also, while 63% of first round picks play an NHL game, only 19% make it to 200 games in their careers. Any draft pick is a lottery ticket. Sometimes you only win $2.
Preds give away 1st rounders for free. :/
Gourde is a fan favorite here in Seattle, but if someone wants to give up a first round for him, see you later, Yanni.