There has been quite a bit of chatter surrounding the NHL trade market. Several contenders have been looking to add. But the Colorado Avalanche don’t seem to be one of them. The Avs have seemingly reached the point where you don’t fix something that isn’t broken.
As it stands, the Avalanche won’t likely become active players in the trade market. And there’s good reason for it. So, let’s jump into three key reasons why the Colorado Avalanche won’t be dipping their toes into the trade market frenzy this season.
3 reasons why Colorado Avalanche won’t be active in trade market
Prices are too high
The Avalanche are hardly a perfect team. They have flaws just like every other NHL club. Despite major upgrades not being necessary, the club could use some depth. Perhaps another NHL-caliber blueliner and a bottom-six forward here or there.
But whatever the additions may be, the costs are simply too high at this point. With so many teams still clinging to playoff aspirations, it’s become a seller’s market. Any team willing to move solid players could command high prices.
As such, the market is just not primed for the Avalanche to make a splash. Colorado will likely look to add a depth piece here and there. But that will likely come towards the trade deadline, when prices will have hopefully come down.
The market is stuck this season
As stated in the previous point, the trade market has been moving at the pace of a snail riding piggyback on a turtle. With just about every team still within striking distance of a playoff spot, no one is really keen on shipping off pieces.
Plus, the flood of high-end, would-be UFAs has vaporized. Just about every big-ticket player on an expiring contract this season has re-signed. Except for a handful of players, the market is pretty much devoid of big names.
Also, contending teams don’t really much the pieces to pay the exorbitant prices rumored for some mid-level players like Kiefer Sherwood or even Jordan Kyrou.
That situation puts the Avalanche at a slight disadvantage. Colorado doesn’t really have the prospects or draft picks to move the needle on a major trade.
Avalanche don’t have cap space
The most evident situation is the Avalanche’s lack of available cap space. PuckPedia shows the Avalanche have about $2.35 million in cap space. That’s not bad, but not nearly enough to add big-name pieces.
Certainly, $2 million or so could represent two solid depth players. But that’s about it. That's why, even if GM Chris MacFarland wanted a major name, making the cap hits work would require some major cap gymnastics.
Given the situation, the Avalanche won’t be major players in the market this season. The club might just sidestep the frenzy coming into the market and snipe off useful pieces along the way.