NHL Trade Deadline: Colorado Avalanche Sellers?

The results of this week’s important games are set — the Colorado Avalanche went 2-2, including losing to two divisional opponents. The results from the all-important month of February were not stellar either. The Avalanche went 6-7 and lost to a total of five Western Conference teams, including four battles for a Wild Card slot.

Center Ryan O’Reilly

Center Ryan O’Reilly is every Avalanche fan’s favorite trade bait. However, both GM Joe Sakic and head coach Patrick Roy, who has the final say on roster decisions, have been adamant that their goal is to sign O’Reilly to an extension over the summer.

During a pre-game press conference, Sakic stated that no player is considered untouchable, but that the Avalanche would only be making “hockey decisions.” It’s possible a team looking at a deep playoff run might be willing to give up a lot in the way of prospects and draft picks. However, it’s doubtful Sakic and Roy are going to want anything less than a solid, current NHLer for a player they consider part of their core.

Likelihood of trade at deadline: Minimal

Center John Mitchell

Mitchell has been a solid third-line player for the Avalanche. He’s good at puck possession, and he’s been hot on faceoffs now and again. He’s also not afraid to get a little chippy.

Even after losing Paul Stastny over the summer, the Colorado Avalanche are still pretty deep at center. Their one-two punch for the future is expected to be Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene. While O’Reilly has played wing, he’s a natural center.

A hockey decision could be to give up a solid F3 center for a decent prospect on defense. The team might even ask for — and get — a draft pick thrown in.

Likelihood of trade at deadline:Possible

Defenseman Jan Hejda

Defenseman Jan Hejda is a big shut-down defenseman whom the Avalanche have taught to jump into the play. He’s been paired with cornerstone defenseman Erik Johnson for two seasons on the top defensive pairing. However, that somewhat inflates his actual level on the team — he’s just a good fit for Johnson.

Hejda’s contract expires this summer.According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, coach Roy told Hejda that the team likes him and he needs to just focus on hockey. However, Hejda understands what the implications of even having such a conversation are:

“I’d be lying if I said I’m not thinking about it. This is the hockey world. I’ve heard there are some teams interested in me.”

The Avalanche would probably like to get something like a draft pick for him. A contending team might give just that to rent a big defenseman capable of chipping in a bit on offense — Chambers mentions the New York Rangers specifically.

Likelihood of trade at deadline:Very possible

Center Daniel Briere

Briere is another player whose contract is up this summer. Plus, he’s spent whole stretches of the season being a healthy scratch. When he does play, his ice time and his role tend to be minimal. He doesn’t seem to fit into coach Roy’s vision for the team.

There’s life in the “old dog” yet. He’s got a snipe of a shot and a ton of leadership skill. He also has playoff experience. A young team like the Nashville Predators who do not have a lot of playoff experience might value that. They might be willing to give over a draft pick to rent Briere.

Likelihood of trade at deadline:Very possible

There are other players Avalanche fans would like to see gone from the line up — especially forward Marc-Andre Cliche, defenseman Nate Guenin and goalie Reto Berra. However, those three players offer little to tempt a playoff-bound team. If the Avalanche unload any of those guys, it’s likely to be over the summer. Those three players will almost certainly finish the season in burgundy and blue.

Next: Avs Trade Deadline Options

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