Joined new league - keep Howard or Varlamov?

[ericdaoust]

Hey all,

I joined a new salary cap dynasty and while you normally can't drop players under contract without penalty, I'm being granted a free drop as a new GM. My biggest problems are in goal, with Howard and Varlamov on payroll, combining for over $11 million.

Categories: W, GAA, SV%, SO, SAVES, SA (H2H league, 18 total categories)

Varlamov: $5.9M, this year and next
Howard: $5.29M, this year and next

Note: I also own Bernier (UFA this summer - will drop then) so keeping Varlamov might work better to get the COL handcuff for this year.

Who would you keep here?

[loco man]

I'd keep Varly - at least he is the unquestioned starter and COL is just as good as DET. Howie started hot but DET will fall out of it quickly IMO and if so they will rotate tenders

[Eskimo Brother]

Goalie A: 14 starts, 8W, 3.09GAA, .905Sv%, 31.53 shots against per game
Goalie B: 20 starts, 8W, 2.94 GAA, .908Sv%, 28.64 shots against per game

Biases aside, they are both struggling, but I think Varlamov is the more talented one. So I would roll with him (even without the Bernier handcuff). I also like Colorado more than Detroit right now. You're not going to be winning GAA and SV% most weeks anyways, so you may as well go with the volume wins and saves from Varlamov (goalie A).

[ericdaoust]

Varlamov makes sense, plus he might have some longer-term value when he signs his next deal, likely for much cheaper.

Thanks!

[Rodgort]

+1 for Varly. Once his contract is up he is good enough tog et another one (Avs on rise too)
Howard stinks, and is paid too much and likely won't get an NHL deal after this one is up

[ericdaoust]

Follow-up question:

Given the settings if you had the option to walk away from both and get by with middling goalies for now (Bernier, Malcolm Subban, Jarry, Korpisalo, other backup/1B goalie) would you do that just to walk away from Varlamov? Or does Varly somehow hold value? (I think he does...)

[lucafen4]

I think he holds value, if he's healthy, he's going to help Col. win some games. They're playing competitively vs most teams. So I'd probably hold.
Would you be able to drop Howard and add say Jarry as a replacement - that would make sense short and long term.

(did they offer free airline barf bag with that set of goalies too? Brave taking over that hot mess.. heh)

[ericdaoust]

The team is very good TBH, I just have to trim the fat and I'll be fine. We have farm rosters. Varly/Howard/Bernier are on pro and Subban/Jarry/Korpi/Hart are on my farm. So for now I'd drop Howard, keep Varly/Bernier on pro (drop Bernier this summer when his contract ends) and spot-start the young guys.

Goaltending is my biggest question mark but I'm pretty solid all over the place including elite prospects at every position and tons of expiring contracts. This summer is going to be a lot of fun.

[lucafen4]

The team is very good TBH, I just have to trim the fat and I'll be fine. We have farm rosters. Varly/Howard/Bernier are on pro and Subban/Jarry/Korpi/Hart are on my farm. So for now I'd drop Howard, keep Varly/Bernier on pro (drop Bernier this summer when his contract ends) and spot-start the young guys.

Goaltending is my biggest question mark but I'm pretty solid all over the place including elite prospects at every position and tons of expiring contracts. This summer is going to be a lot of fun.

That's good to hear... I misread thinking the farm G's were on the wire.. Jarry's a real nice sub on the interim.

[als_revenge]

I would hold Varlamov just to see what his next deal is like. He could be a value goalie. If you don't like his next deal, that's when I'd cut bait. I'd have no issues dropping Howard, especially if you need to save cap room.

[Eskimo Brother]

It depends what else you could do with that 6M in space. If there's not an easy way to put it to use, then keep the full time starter. However if that cap space could get you a better return than Varly could, I think you know what to do.
Maybe tough to gauge in a new league though eh?

[stevegamer]

I'd drop Howard for sure.

Varlamov may have some trade value or could help you next year. I don't really think a whole lot of him as a goalie, but better than Howard at a similar price. Both are guys I see as tandem guys at best.