The Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks could become trade partners again. This time, the player in question is defenseman Mario Ferraro. The Sharks, amid their ongoing rebuild, have signaled they’re willing to move the 26-year-old blue liner, for the right price.
Among the teams interested are the Colorado Avalanche, along with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets. With the Avs already boasting two top-pairing defensemen in Cale Makar and Devon Toews, the question begs: Does adding Ferraro make sense?
According to The Fourth Period’s trade board, teams have been calling on the Sharks about Ferraro for over a year. That’s because Ferraro can be a solid top-four addition in any contending team. That’s something that the Avalanche could certainly use.
As it stands, the Avs have Makar and Toews on the top pairing, with Samuel Girard and Sam Malinski on the second pairing. All right, that’s not bad at all. But what about the bottom pairing or Calvin De Haan and Oliver Kylington?
With Josh Manson day-to-day, and no other internal options to boost the Avs’ blue line, adding someone like Ferraro becomes an attractive alternative. Ferraro can slide alongside Girard on the second pairing, moving Manson and Malinski to the third pairing.
Moreover, the Avs’ defense depth gets a boost as De Haan and Kylington remain on as the seventh and eighth defensemen.
Adding Ferraro won’t likely come cheap, but if the opportunity arises, the Avs should certainly kick the tires and see if a deal could make sense for both sides.
The cost for Colorado Avalanche to add Mario Ferraro
The Fourth Period believes the Sharks are willing to move Ferraro, but such a move comes with a high price tag.
So, what exactly would a high price tag mean?
The Sharks can certainly forget about getting a first-round pick for Ferraro. Yes, he’s 26, has one more year on his contract at $3.25 million, and he’s a solid top-four blueliner. But getting a first-rounder doesn’t likely make sense.
Ferraro likely fetches a second-round pick and a third or fourth-rounder. Additionally, the Sharks will likely want another blueliner to take Ferraro’s spot. That’s where things might get tough for the Avs as they don’t really have anyone the Sharks could be interested in.
Perhaps a prospect like Sean Behrens might move the needle. Behrens has been hurt this season but could entice the Sharks as a future option. Sure, Behrens could be a valuable piece down the road for the Avs, but if the opportunity is there to snag a solid blueline option, why not take that chance?
Ultimately, I find it somewhat difficult for this deal to work for the Avs and Sharks. The Sharks are reportedly asking an arm and a leg for Ferraro. The Avs may not want to pay up, especially if there’s a team desperate enough to pay up. So, it remains to be seen if Ferraro runs out the year in San Jose.