Colorado Avalanche: Trade Grades for the Team and the Central

The Colorado Avalanche didn’t have a very eventful trade deadline, but neither did the main Central Division teams. Who did the best?

The Colorado Avalanche had a relatively quiet trade deadline. They made two small moves in the morning, and they seemed to be done.

The first trade was for a forward, Vladislav Namestnikov. They gave up a fourth-round pick in 2021 to the Ottawa Senators. The second trade was with Toronto, Calle Rosen for goalie Michael Hutchinson. Both Avs pickups are unrestricted free agents come summer.

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Going into the trade deadline, the Avalanche had only one real need — some goalie depth. Hutchinson doesn’t have the greatest record. But, he’s an NHL-ready goalie who can sit backup for Pavel Francouz until Philipp Grubauer returns — if he returns this season.

The acquisition of Namestnikov is essentially a freebie. They gave up only a late-round draft pick, and they were never going to get a meaningful player there anyway. Namestnikov can slot into the middle-six while the Avalanche get healthy again. He’s also sure to make an impact on the penalty kill — he already has four short-handed goals on the season.

All in all, I don’t think that’s a bad trade deadline for a team that’s playing well on their playoff run and should be healthy come playoff time. It wasn’t spectacular, but it helped the team marginally.

Colorado Avalanche Trade Deadline Grade: B+

Let’s look at what relevant the teams in the Central Division.

St. Louis Blues

Right now the Colorado Avalanche are chasing the current Cup champs, the St. Louis Blues, for top of the Central — and so top of the Western Conference.

The Blues did nothing on trade deadline day and made only one trade in the week leading up to the deadline.

Acquired: Defenseman Marco Scandella (Montreal Canadiens) for 2020 second-round pick, 2021 fourth-round pick (conditional)

The move’s not a bad one. Scandella is bog — 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. He’s the kind of defenseman who can put up a dozen points in a season without being to bad in penalty minutes. The Blues probably don’t need much more than that as they’re mostly running with their Cup-winning team.

Trade Deadline Grade: B

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are right behind the Colorado Avalanche for the chase in the Central Division. They had a very quiet trade deadline.

Acquired: 2020 sixth-round pick (Buffalo) for defenseman Emil Djuse (to Florida)

The Florida Panthers have been needing some help on defense, and apparently the Stars didn’t mind helping them out. Otherwise, they seem pretty confident in their roster.

Trade Deadline Grade: C (dead even)

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are just one point out of a playoff spot with a game in hand over the Arizona Coyotes. They look determined to make a run at it.

The Jets were the busiest playoff contending team in the Central.

Acquired: Defenseman Dylan DeMelo (Ottawa Senators) for 2020 third-round pick

Their prize defenseman, Dustin Byfuglien, isn’t coming back. They were also unable to trade away his rights. However, they did pick up some help in the 26-year-old Dylan DeMelo.

Acquired: Forward Cody Eakin (Vegas Golden Knights) for 2021 fourth-round pick (conditional)

That trade seems uninspiring. Vegas needed to clear some cap space. Winnipeg seems to have acquired a depth forward — Eakin has just four goals and six assists in 41 games.

Trade Deadline Grade: B

dark. Next. Reaction to Trades 2020

So, all in all, this was an uneventful trade deadline for the relevant teams in the Central Division. The Colorado Avalanche’s two main rivals, St. Louis and Dallas did less even than the Avs. And, while the Jets made a couple good moves, it’s unlikely they will help the team get higher than a wild card spot.

What do you think of all the Central Division moves yesterday?

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