Colorado Avalanche: Who is Available to Buy at Deadline?

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 20: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate after a win against the New York Rangers at the Pepsi Center on January 20, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Rangers 3-1. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 20: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate after a win against the New York Rangers at the Pepsi Center on January 20, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Rangers 3-1. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
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The Colorado Avalanche come out of the All-Star Break still in the playoff hunt. If they are to be buyers, who’s available?

Isn’t this exciting, Colorado Avalanche fans?! Isn’t this fun?! Isn’t this a whole heck of a lot better than last year?! Even with the loss of our star center, Nathan MacKinnon, for two to four weeks, the Avalanche appear to still be gunning for the playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche currently sit at 60 points and courtesy of their 10 game winning streak are in the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. This is the Western Conference, however, and the Avalanche are in the stupid good Central Division. As it stands, the San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks are all within 2 points of the Avs.

As the trade deadline approaches, Joe Sakic and Co. have to decide whether or not this team will be buyers, sellers or watchers. I personally think the Avalanche should be watchers. This seems like a close-knit group of guys and bringing in someone might disturb the chemistry. Also, even if the Avs don’t make the playoffs, the season was not a lost one, and it will have been a great learning experience for these young players.

Still, it’s more fun to talk about someone new and exciting coming to the roster for a playoff run.

In the event they are buyers, I believe they should target a winger. Depth on the wings has been lacking in Colorado for a while and there are a few out there to be had. Nathan MacKinnon and Carl Soderberg are entrenched in the center position. Alexander Kerfoot (who has been centering the top line in MacKinnon’s absence), J.T. Compher and Tyson Jost are all capable of playing center.

Defenseman are also notoriously overpriced in the trade deadline market. However, if the right D-man at the right price came along, I wouldn’t mind if Sakic made a move. The key for me is price.

I took a look at the 8 teams at the moment that look like sure fire sellers based on their records and who on those teams would be available. I tried to find a low price and high price option for each. Here we go!