Colorado Avalanche Could Trade to Acquire Winger Jordan Eberle

If the Colorado Avalanche are able to move Matt Duchene for defensive help, they could in turn move out Tyson Barrie to fill the ensuing offensive hole.

The biggest deal the Colorado Avalanche are likely to make this offseason involves forward Matt Duchene, of course.

However, there could be another big deal on the table if the Avs are looking to fill the offensive hole left behind by a Duchene departure. Tyson Barrie could be shipped to Edmonton for Eberle, or elsewhere for picks and prospects.

Unfortunately, the reason Edmonton would move Eberle is because of cap struggles likely on the way with big contracts promised to Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.

And, if they traded Eberle in exchange for Barrie, it would only mean $500,000 in cap relief. However, for posterity’s sake, let’s at least explore how both of these deals would look, and look into some picks and prospect options for Barrie as well.

Matt Duchene Traded to…

This video has the New York Islanders and defenseman Travis Hamonic on the table for Matt Duchene. However, that just simply won’t cut it.

Don’t get me wrong, Hamonic is a great defenseman, but he’s not the type of player the Avs should be targeting in a Duchene trade. He’s 26 years old, and hasn’t had any jaw-dropping seasons in the NHL yet. In other words, he’s doesn’t fit the bill for a top-tier YOUNG defenseman, and he’s nowhere near as skilled as Duchene, so it’s not a fair trade.

However, a team like the Carolina Hurricanes obviously makes sense for the Colorado Avalanche. Figuring out a trade with the ‘Canes is a challenging thing to do though.

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They have some great defensemen on their roster, and even a one-for-one trade involving Duchene and one of those defensemen seems unlikely. But, if the Avs are willing to include Chris Bigras in the deal, the ‘Canes would have to at least consider it.

If the Avs are able to get some magic done for a great defenseman though, Tyson Barrie suddenly becomes a little bit more expendable at least.

Tyson Barrie traded to…

First on the list are the Edmonton Oilers, of course. Both Duchene and Eberle have the same cap hit over the same term — six million for the next two seasons.

So, making a trade like this makes sense for the Avs. They don’t have have any cap struggles currently, and aren’t likely to have any for awhile unless they make some bad deals over the summer.

So, trading Barrie actually makes sense for the Avs, especially to fill a hole on the right wing, which is the position Eberle plays. The Avs don’t have any right-handed shooters to play right wing in the top six currently, and Eberle would be a boon where that is concerned.

However, as mentioned earlier, the Oilers wouldn’t be getting enough cap relief if they traded Eberle for Barrie, so that kind of deal is likely to fall through.

Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean the Avs can’t dangle Tyson Barrie during the entry draft as an option for picks and prospects. There are a wealth of teams that may be willing to give up their first round pick and a prospect for Tyson Barrie.

The Dallas Stars come to mind, with two first round picks and some forward prospects in their pipeline. The St. Louis Blues also come to mind, as they have two first round picks and some tantalizing prospects as well.

The Dallas Stars are the more viable option because they desperately need defensive help. But, they already have a defenseman like Tyson Barrie in John Klingberg, so they may not be interested in trading for Barrie.

However, a team like the Hurricanes may be interested, especially if they give up one of their young defensemen to the Avs. This could end up being just one big deal with the Hurricanes, involving Duchene, Barrie and one of the ‘Canes first round draft picks, a top-tier blueliner and some forward prospects. That would be interesting.

Conclusion

The trades are going to come flooding in soon after the Stanley Cup is lifted, and the Avs will likely be involved in the action. Either way, the offseason is starting to

ramp up, and it’s going to hit full blown pedal to the metal mode in a week or so.

Next: Avs Reportedly Not Going to Buyout Francois Beauchemin

Hopefully the Avalanche make some bold moves ahead of the expansion draft. Tyson Barrie and Matt Duchene are just two names that could be dealt.

The fact of the matter is that the Avs are looking to shakeup their roster. In order to do that, it takes some gumption. Hopefully Joe Sakic has the brass and sand to do what is necessary. At this point, he’s not likely to buyout Francois Beauchemin, so trades are his next best option.

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