Decently Realistic Avs I think...maybe...kinda.

Yan is an interesting target. Might need to return a prospect you aren't interested in keeping. I'd avoid Callahan personally.

You could get more for Duchene, though I feel Morin is a decent target as well.

The Callahan trade in my mind is simply "we'll take your expensive player and in return, you give us a prospect with at least a chance at top 6 potential, but ultimately just depth in the system." Yan was just a stab in the dark, not really knowing a bunch about Tampa's prospects. The trade represents the Avs need to use all avenues available to them to add to their organization. With that much cap space and looking to not be competitive for two-three more years, they should look into any teams bad contracts.

As for Duchene, I think his value has dropped and that a good young defensman and a first round pick is still an acceptable return. You could replace Morin with Pulock, or someone from Carolina, etc. and I think the effect is about the same.

You can't assume Patrick will be going to the Avs so my inclusion of Hischier is interchangable with a guy like Tippett or Valiardi, essentially anyone in that top range (other than Lljigren) that will likely end up as a wing rather than a center. If it's Patrick, he'll immediately be the Avs 2nd line center, likely in 2018. If it's not I think you look for that pick to enter with Jost after next season. In my scenario, you're waiting to fill out the top 6 with Jost and this year's pick, but in the case of trading Duchene, you really still need some depth on the wing, and that's why I look to take on a bad contract for a guy that has some chance at fulfilling that.

In the meantime you mine FA for cheap guys that can possibly be flipped for picks if they are there. Pick up one or two that are not Tyutin, Rene Borque types that you won't be able to move. If they're not there, don't sign anyone and plug in guys from San Antonio, as painful as that may be (this team isn't looking to compete next year.)