The Colorado Avalanche have a new winger, Sven Martinsen, acquired during the NHL trade deadline. Find out what he brings to the team.
The Colorado Avalanche traded big left wing Andreas Martinsen to the Montreal Canadiens for small right wing Sven Andrighetto. According to GM Joe Sakic, Andrighetto will report to the Avs, not the San Antonio Rampage.
Naturally, this wasn’t the biggest trade that Sakic made at the deadline — that honor goes to his send-off of Jarome Iginla to the LA Kings essentially for nothing (a conditional draft pick with hard-to-meet conditions) to give Iggy one last shot at the playoffs.
However, this is the trade that might have some impact (besides freeing up a roster spot) to the Colorado Avalanche. So, let’s get to know Sven Andrighetto.
About Sven Andrighetto
Position: Right wing
Age: 23
Height: 5′ 10
Weight:183 lbs
Shoots: Left
Contract: $650,000 through 2017, RFA
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Andrighetto is a small, speedy forward out of Switzerland. Chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round of the 2013 draft, Sven has played in 83 NHL games across three seasons, and he’s accrued 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists).
Andrighetto is known for being a creative player who sees the ice well and loves to drive to the net. He’s a natural right wing, but he can line up at any forward position. Sven plays a two-way game and loves to set up his teammates.
Sven Andrighetto is known for his explosive skating. He has great puck skills. Here’s an example of his puck handling in practice:
Here’s Sven in game action:
The kid has some skill.
Andrighetto vs Martinsen
The Colorado Avalanche signed Andreas Martinsen as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2015. In two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, Martinsen played in 110 games. He’s earned 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists).
The biggest difference you notice right away between the two players is size. Martinsen is an impressive 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. He is one physical player with power forward skills in the bottom six.
My favorite Martinsen moment was that time he took out two New Jersey Devils players with one hit:
Martinsen didn’t really score the highlight reel goals for us, but he’d throw down when necessary. Here’s the time he fought that hated ex-Avalanche,
Steve Downie:
Sven Andrighetto isn’t going to be that type of player for the Colorado Avalanche. He’s a full five inches and 37 pounds smaller than Martinsen. He doesn’t have the size to be a physical presence, nor the inclination, it seems.
Sven is three years younger than Martinsen. When it comes to contracts, it’s a wash — the two make basically the same amount of money. Andrighetto will be a restricted free agent while Martinsen becomes an unrestricted free agent.
But this move isn’t about the contract.
How Andrighetto Fits with the Colorado Avalanche
To my mind, trading Martinsen for Andrighetto shows you that the Colorado Avalanche are committed to their new model. In the past the team wanted size and skill. Now they want speed and skill — and youth. GM Joe Sakic has been clear that he wants the team to get younger.
As with any deadline trade player on an expiring contract, Sven has the chance to try out for the team. He may even get a crack at the top-six, probably to see if his speed and stick handling can complement Matt Duchene.
Next: Sakic Focused in Iginla Trade at Deadline
The Avalanche have 21 games left. As Sakic said, Sven Andrighetto is reporting to the big team. If he passes his tryout, Sven will likely get offered a contract in the offeason. The Colorado Avalanche are wagering that he could be a minor piece in the team’s rebuild.