The 2026 NHL trade deadline is coming up and the Colorado Avalanche have been rumored to be interested in several players as they look to make another Run at the Stanley Cup.
From Ryan O’Reilly to Nazem Kadri and even to Vincent Trocheck, the Avs rumors have been often. They even built some steam after Colorado gained some cap space after trading Sam Girard for Brett Kulak, who has made a pretty solid transition to his new team. (Meanwhile, Sam Girard unfortunately was injured).
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland was reportedly in attendance at the Calgary Flames-Anaheim Ducks game on Sunday, along with other members of the Avalanche, including Andrew Cogliano. That indicates that there was perhaps some scouting going on. The Flames, of course, have Kadri. That reunion would be interesting and perhaps a great fit.
Colorado has $9.88 million in cap space following the departure of Girard according to PuckPedia. That’s more than enough space to add Kadri and not have to have the Flames retain any of his salary on their books.
I’ve also seen some suggest Morgan Frost as an option. Frost has 12 goals and 16 assists in 59 games this season, though he is a -16 player right now. He does have five power play goals this season, which would be of interest to the Avalanche. The question would be whether or not Colorado wants to find a spot for him, or anybody else, on the power play and take someone off of it.
The Avalanche could have potentially traded Girard to the Ducks for something of value to them. They maybe would want to ditch Girard’s salary for some draft capital, as not adding someone in return for Girard would have given them extra space for one of the bigger fish. Either way, that’s done and over with and is just speculation that won’t get anywhere anymore.
Someone else who might be of interest to the Avalanche is Troy Terry of the Ducks, though he is currently injured. I’m sure that if there is interest there, though, the Ducks are communicating with potential trade partners regarding his status. Terry was born in Denver, Colorado, so there might be interest from him in going back. He has 13 goals and 32 assists in 46 games this season.
Whatever the Avalanche end up doing—or not doing—ahead of the trade deadline, it’s certainly fascinating and notable that MacFarland attended the Ducks-Flames game. Maybe it ends up being nothing, but it is something to monitor.
Colorado faces the Blackhawks on Monday night.