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Colorado Avalanche: Finding a Home for Blake Comeau

By Nadia Archuleta

Nov 21, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Blake Comeau (14) looks to play the puck from the ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Avalanche won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Blake Comeau (14) looks to play the puck from the ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Avalanche won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Avalanche are likely to deal winger Blake Comeau at the trade deadline, probably for a draft pick. Find out where he might go.

The Colorado Avalanche are certain to be sellers at the NHL trade deadline, which is March 1. They may go shopping a bit for some of the help they need, but it makes to sense to make any big pick ups since they’d have to protect that asset during the expansion draft (June 21, 2017).

That means the Avs are unlikely to make any trades involving big names. However, GM Joe Sakic has been pretty clear that he’s interesting in shedding some contracts and getting younger. The latter could be by picking up prospects or draft picks.

One of the contracts the Colorado Avalanche are probably interested in unloading is Blake Comeau‘s.

About Blake Comeau

Position: Right wing

Height: 6’1

Weight: 202 pounds

Age: 31

Contract: $2.4 million cap hit through 2018

The Colorado Avalanche picked up Blake Comeau in free agency in the summer of 2015. The idea was for Comeau, who’s skated with the likes of Sidney Crosby, to provide a veteran presence for the Avs youngsters as well as some depth and grit.

Comeau is, indeed, a gritty guy. He impressed out of the chute with his passionate play. He’s a streaky goal-scorer, but he’s very versatile. He can play either wing position and slot into any line. With the Avalanche he has 19 goals and 29 assists (7 goals, 5 assists this year).

This has been a tough year for Blake Comeau, as it has been for all Colorado players. The Avs are looking to get younger, and Blake just doesn’t fit into that narrative.

That said, there are some teams who could use his tenacity and grit — not to mention playoff experience.

Columbus Blue Jackets

You can’t mention a Colorado Avalanche trade without considering the Columbus Blue Jackets. The two teams have some strong connections.

CBJ doesn’t necessarily need a winger — they’re really looking for more of a center. However, the Jackets are a young team about to head into the playoffs for only the second time ever.

In fact, the last time they were in the playoffs — 2013-14 — a certain Blake Comeau was in the lineup. He played in all six games. He also played in five games for the Pittsburgh Penguins during their 2015 playoff run.

All that might make Comeau somewhat enticing, especially if he came cheap. Columbus has the following draft picks: 1, 2*, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (* conditional pick). They might be willing to cough up one of the later rounds for Blake.

They’ll also have around $9 million in cap space at the deadline. They can afford him.

San Jose Sharks

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The San Jose Sharks currently lead the Pacific Division. They’re three points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers and have a game in hand. The Sharks are being powered by the most offensively defenseman who actually plays defense in the NHL, Brent Burns.

San Jose is also so stacked with forwards that their waiver, Matt Nieto, instantly became an Avalanche top six player. That said, as NHL.com points out, the Sharks would welcome a veteran presence on their bottom six.

The Sharks don’t have any wiggle room in salary — about $10,710. Colorado might have to retain salary for this trade to happen. However, San Jose has the following draft picks:  1, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7. I could see the Avs looking at the fourth rounder if they’re retaining salary.

Minnesota Wild

I don’t like the idea of the Minnesota Wild getting anything from us. You know Blake Comeau’s first game with the Wild he’d get a hat trick. And he’d definitely score on the Avs the first chance he got.

However, Minny needs a versatile forward. As I pointed out, Comeau used to play on a line with Sid Crosby, though he’s been relegated to the bottom six in Colorado. (Well, he has been known to skate with Matt Duchene.)

Minnesota has around $2.3 million. They’d have to make some room for Blake. They also have the following draft picks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. I’d want Sakic to go after that third rounder because it’s the Wild. I want the Avs to come out on top in some way.

In case you’re wondering, the Colorado Avalanche haven’t traded with the Minnesota Wild since 2004 when they acquired center Darby Hendrickson and an eight-round pick for a fourth round pick.

Actually, let’s do that — sent Comeau at full salary and an eighth round pick to Minny for their fourth rounder. (Before you say it, I know there’s only seven rounds now — that’s the joke.)

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Anyway, I really don’t expect Blake Comeau to finish the year with the Colorado Avalanche. The team is in full rebuild, and a versatile veteran just doesn’t fit with the blueprint.

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