Colorado Avalanche: Who is Available to Buy at Deadline?

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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!

TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 27: Oliver Ekman-Larsson /

ARIZONA COYOTES:

Low Price – Brad Richardson – LW:

Richardson is a decent 4th line depth winger. He isn’t going to put up a bunch of points, but he could be a good penalty kill option. Richardson’s contract expires at the end of the season, so there is no long term risk. The Avalanche would not have to give much up for him.

High Price – Oliver Ekman-Larsson: – D

Lol jk, he’s way too expensive.

BUFFALO SABRES:

Low Price – Benoit Pouliot: – LW

Pouliot has bounced around the NHL for a while now. He was a high draft pick (4th overall in 2005 by the Wild) who never really lived up to his draft spot. He’s become a decent depth scoring option to whoever he’s played on, so there is some value. He’s on a one year deal, so the future risk is low. He doesn’t have many points this season (only 9 goals and 3 assists), but thats not always the best way to assess a player’s talent. If played with the right center, Pouliot can be an effective scorer.

High Price – Evander Kane – LW

This guy is so darn talented. Even on the struggling Sabres, he’s managed 36 points in 48 games. The problem (other than he comes with a high price tag) is his attitude. He’s been the subject of continued criticism from teammates. I won’t go as far as calling him a cancer in the locker room simply because I haven’t followed him enough. As the saying goes though “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” He’s on the last year of his contract, which makes him very appealing for teams. He’s a gamble for the Avalanche, and a big one at that.

DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 25: Anthony Mantha /

DETROIT RED WINGS: I will admit, the thought of helping the Red Wings in any way does not sit well with me.

Low Price – None. Any depth winger or defenseman is either too young for the Red Wings to give them up willingly or on a long deal that is virtually unmovable.

High Price – Gustav Nyquist – RW

Nyquist has been a consistent 40-50 point winger throughout his career. He’s got the smarts and ability to put up second line numbers. He does have one more year on his contract after this season at just under 5 million dollars. The extra year may be a deterrent and it may not worth the assets if he doesn’t work out in Bednar’s system.

Note:

I did not include Mike Green even though he’s been rumored to be on the move. He is a talented offensive defenseman with a expiring deal, but his price tag will be too high and the Avs already have a younger version of Green in Tyson Barrie.

EDMONTON OILERS:

Low Price – Mark Letestu – C/W

Nothing overly interesting about this choice. Letestu is on an exipring deal and has bottom six value at center or at wing. He won’t score many points, but his hard work on the PK and in the defensive zone gives Bednar some more depth in that role. Letestu’s also had some recent playoff experience, which is something not many current Avalanche players have.

High Price – Darnell Nurse – D

I honestly can’t believe I’m saying this, but here we are. The Oilers have been poor this season even thought they were expected to be a legitimate playoff contender. Nurse had not been developing to the liking of Oiler’s fans and media until this season. His contract is up after this season and the Oilers will have some big decisions involving some key young pieces who need long term deals.

Nurse is a big and mobile defenseman with a booming shot. He truly would leave no weak spots on the Avalanche defensive unit. His price tag may however be too high. The Oilers would be fools to give up on Nurse this early (he’s 22). However, they have made some questionable moves recently. Nothing is impossible!

SUNRISE, FL – JANUARY 25: Denis Malgin /

FLORIDA PANTHERS:

Low Price – Colton Sceviour – RW

Not really much to see here. Another good depth piece that can kill penalties if need be. Sceviour wouldn’t be expensive and his deal is up at the end of the year.

High Price – None

Florida has their young core pieces locked up to long term deals and their veteran players also are on long term deals. Nothing to see here!

MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 25: Max Pacioretty /

MONTREAL CANADIENS:

Low Price – Jordie Benn – D

Jordie Benn is a solid 3rd pairing defenseman who can eat up quality minutes. He won’t offer much in the way of offense, but he’s a good stay-at-home defenseman. Benn has another year after this one on his contract, but it’s only at a 1.1 million dollar cap hit. That’s easy enough for Sakic and company to take on if they choose.

High Price – Alex Galchenyuk – LW

I don’t get it. I don’t understand why the Habs can’t figure out what to do with this guy or even where to put him. He’s got loads of offensive talent (mostly stick-handling and shot) and still has more in his game that can be discovered. Montreal has not had the season they’ve wanted and have been talking about trading “Chucky” for a while now. Galchenyuk signed a 3 year deal worth just under 5 million this past offseason, so you need to be sure he’s part of the long term success of this club.

Note:

I didn’t include Max Pacioretty simply because I believe he would be too expensive for the Avalanche. Side note though, wherever he goes, he is going to light it up. If Montreal deals him, they will definitely be sorry. Buddy is a lock for 30 goals a season.

OTTAWA SENATORS:

I don’t know how many times in NHL history two teams have made a trade with each other in the same season, but I can’t imagine the number is high. The Senators do seem to be sellers (although given the conditions of the 1st round pick they gave they Avalanche, they may want to consider tanking VERY carefully), so here we go!

Low Price: Tom Pyatt – C/W

Quality bottom-six forward that can play either down the middle or on the wing. He’s got some speed which works with Bednar’s system. Pyatt does have another year past this one on his deal, but he’s still a low risk player. You know what to expect from Pyatt.

High Price: Mike Hoffman – LW

I know, I know, but hear me out. The price for Hoffman would certainly be high, and for good reason. He’s got one of the most underrated shots in the game. His one-timer from the right side is almost Ovechkin-like. He’s on an pretty decent deal for the Avalanche at a little over 5 million for another two years after this one.

The Senators may or may not be sellers this season, but they are up against the cap and have some big decisions to make with players like Mark Stone, Erik Karlsson, Matt Duchene (lol) and Cody Ceci. If Sakic is going to make a big splash, I personally hope he pushes hard for Hoffman.

Tell me you don’t want this shot on the Avs:

Or how about this one:

My goodness, what a beautiful sound!

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Low Price: Alex Biega – D

Alex Biega is nothing more than a quality depth defenseman. He’s only played in 25 games this season with 5 assists, but he’s a solid 7th option. He’s also a right-handed shot, and teams covet those types of defenseman. Biega is on an expiring deal, so no long term problems there either.

High Price: Thomas Vanek – LW

This guy just won’t go away. Every single time the trade deadline comes around, Vanek always seems to be on the block. He isn’t the 60-70 point-per-year player he was years ago, but he’s shown he still has a good deal of offensive upside (if played with the right center). His problem has always been he’s one of the most Jekyll & Hyde players of this generation. One game he’s quite literally invisible, the next he’s unstoppable. Even at 34 years old, it will still be a hefty price for any team who wants Vanek.

Next: Who Will Step up for MacKinnon?

The NHL trade deadline is February 26. Historically, the Colorado Avalanche have made at least a few moves. We’ll see what they come up with this year.

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