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Colorado Avalanche Trade Rumors: One Month from Deadline Day

By Jeremy Lambert

Nov 5, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy (C) reacts after losing a coaches challenge in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy (C) reacts after losing a coaches challenge in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Discover some Colorado Avalanche trade rumors that may or may not have merit as the deadline is one month away.

It’s tough to find a good Colorado Avalanche trade rumor on the internet right now. There are plenty of rumors floating around right now as the NHL trade deadline is just a month away, but seemingly none of them involve the Avalanche. So I’ve decided to make up some rumors just so Avs fans don’t feel left out on the speculation stir.

Radim Vrbata back to Denver?

Vrbata was drafted by the Avs in 1999, playing 118 games, and putting up 60 points before being dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Although our former Mile High Sticking friend Janik Beichler didn’t list the Avs as a top five destination for the current Canucks wing, this trade makes a lot of sense. Colorado is desperate for scoring help at the wing position, and even though Vrbata isn’t enjoying the same success he had last year, he’s still scored 20+ goals in each of the last two seasons and has hit 30+ goals twice in his NHL career.

This wouldn’t be a long term commitment either. At 34, Vrbata is on the last year of his deal, so if he doesn’t work out for the team, they can bid him adieu in the offseason.

Blockbuster Deal with Edmonton

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Shockingly, the Edmonton Oilers are once again at the bottom of the standings. Cam Talbot hasn’t been the answer in goal, and the team in front of him continues to struggle. They have plenty of talented forwards, but desperately need stability in net.

Enter Semyon Varlamov. Although the Avs starter has picked up his game since December, there are still question marks surrounding him, namely his ability to win a big game. With Calvin Pickard waiting in the wings, the Avs might be wise to go young and cheaper between the pipes.

The Avs could almost have their pick at the Oilers roster if they were willing to part with Varlamov. While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are almost certainly off-limits, I’d imagine that Edmonton would be willing to part with just about anyone else if it meant finally getting a #1 goalie to stabilize the franchise.

Wouldn’t Taylor Hall look good on a line with Matt Duchene and Nate MacKinnon? How about Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov to improve the scoring depth? There are plenty of possibilities for the Avs should they be willing to cut ties with the franchise’s second best goalie in history.

Matt Duchene Rumors Re-Heat

Remember a month into the season when the team was trying to trade Matt Duchene? Then Duchene went on a tear and is now tied for 7th in the league in goals. But why should that prevent the Colorado Avalanche from trading him? His value is at an all-time high, may as well strike while the iron is hot.

How about Duchene for Sidney Crosby? That sounds crazy, but Crosby isn’t even an All-Star this year. You know who is an All-Star? Duchene. In fact, the Penguins should probably give up more than Crosby if they want to get Duchene from Colorado. If the Penguins offer up Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, maybe Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic think about it. MAYBE.

Drouin Re-Unites with MacKinnon

I’ve been harping on this one for a long time and it looks like at least Nadia Archuleta agrees with me. A lot of teams have been linked to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Jonathan Drouin, but for some reason the Avs have been absent from that list. It seems like a team desperate for wing help would jump at the chance to acquire a 20-year-old with immense talent, who just so happens to have a very good relationship with your star center.

I understand the potential headaches that come with acquiring Drouin, but the kid is just asking for a chance to play in the NHL. He’d get that chance with Colorado. What he does with it is up to him. Roy is very good with young players and could certainly unlock Drouin’s full potential. If he does, this trade could be a steal for the Avs. If he doesn’t, well, hopefully they don’t give up too much in return.

Next: What We've Learned from the Avs so Far

What do you think, Avs Nation? Which trade rumor would most excite you?

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