Will Want a Solid Return
Some players are even a little more valuable to the Avalanche. What’s more, their youth and apparent talent would make them more valuable to an interested team. These are players Sakic wouldn’t necessarily want to part with. However, if the price were right, he’d probably make the deal.
These are players Joe Sakic would want a pick and a prospect for. Throw in a journeyman NHLer or career AHLer, and all the better. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be Joe initiating the trade but rather a team looking at a deep playoff run that needed to bolster its depth.
Two of our sophomores, J.T. Compher and Alexander Kerfoot fall into this category. They’re integral to the team, but not foundational. Plus, each of their contracts expire after this season, making them RFAs.
It’s hard to say where to put Philipp Grubauer since Colorado traded for him and signed him to a team-friendly contract. I’d say they’d be willing to ride out said contract unless they got a solid return for him.