When the Colorado Avalanche traded Charlie Coyle to the Columbus Blue Jackets this summer, the chatter focused on the deal being a cap dump. Indeed, the move was that. The Avs sent Coyle, whom they had recently acquired from the Boston Bruins, and Miles Wood for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2027 second-rounder.
The 2025 third-rounder turned into Francesco Dell’Elce. He’s in the NCAA at the moment and could become a solid piece for the club at some point down the road. The 2027 second-rounder is still a mystery and will remain so until then.
But the other intriguing piece was Gavin Brindley. Brindley was a second-rounder from the 2023 NHL Draft. However, the Blue Jackets felt his development had stalled. He played all of one game for the Blue Jackets and seemed to be on the outside looking in. He was by all accounts a washed-up prospect in need of a fresh start.
So, the Blue Jackets dumped Brindley on an Avalanche organization devoid of prospects. Boy, did Brindley get his fresh start. He surprised everyone by making the team this season. He wasn’t expected to play a meaningful role, but has become a solid part of Colorado’s bottom six.
In 14 games this season, Brindley has three goals and five points. That’s not going to get him many Calder Trophy votes. But when considering his potential, the Blue Jackets gave up on Brindley too soon.
The trade continues to show that the Avalanche have a keen eye for finding value in places where other teams have failed to see it. Zakhar Bardakov is another prime example. The Avalanche, unlike other contenders, have refined their eye for finding diamonds in places where few can spot them.
Avalanche were right to move on from Coyle, Wood
Trading Coyle raised some eyebrows among NHL experts. The move seemed like a failure on the Avalanche’s part. It looked like a botched trade that only complicated the team’s salary cap structure.
But then again, the Avalanche were right to move on from Coyle and Wood. Coyle hasn’t been bad, but he hasn’t been exactly great for the Blue Jackets this season. He has two goals and nine points this season.
Meanwhile, Miles Wood has four goals in nine games. He’s been hurt and hasn’t played a prominent role with Columbus.
In hindsight, the Avalanche gave the Blue Jackets a decent fleecing. Colorado dumped two depreciating assets for three potentially valuable ones. Brindley has already begun to pay dividends. Dell’Elce is still a wildcard. And as for that second-rounder, who knows what that can turn into? If the Avalanche draft a future star, this deal could look even worse for the Blue Jackets.
But for now, the Colorado Avalanche continue to look like they have access to another timeline. They can see into the future and pluck assets that other clubs have turned away from.