The Colorado Avalanche need what the Edmonton Oilers have too much of — elite forwards. Is a deal possible here?
The Oilers have too many elite forwards and not enough defense. The Avalanche don’t have *any* elite forwards.
Recently my editor Nadia Archuleta suggested we should raid the Rangers roster. Her theory is that the Avs need to import some winning tradition. Well, I want to look at whether it might be a good idea to import some players from a losing organization.
The Oilers, by my count, have a grand total of 6 forwards good enough to play on a top line. In order of this season’s performance they are: Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Benoit Pouliot, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
According to my research, McDavid and Draisaitl are untouchable, but the other four could potentially be had for the right price. Before I address whether or not the Colorado Avalanche have “the right price,” let’s take a look at who we might be getting.
Next: Taylor Hall