Mile High Sticking
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3 major acquisitions the Colorado Avalanche must make for a deep postseason run

The Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, only to lose in the first round of the 2023 playoffs to the Seattle Kraken.

By Todd Matthews

Jan 5, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique (14) takes the face off
Jan 5, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique (14) takes the face off / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Vladimir Tarasenko adds another jolt of experience to Colorado’s top-nine

Tarasenko trade

Vladimir Tarasenko was supposed to be the missing piece for the Ottawa Senators, but that didn’t quite work this season and Ottawa is among the worst teams in the Eastern Conference. Therefore, if Henrique is off the table, Tarasenko would be the next-best to take center stage in such a scenario. 

But given the sheer similarities between him and Henrique from a productivity standpoint this season, expect a trade package similar to what the Avalanche would be willing to give up for Henrique. However, because the Senators are even closer to contention than the Ducks despite their poor record, we are taking out Kovalenko and adding Calum Ritchie. 

This might not sit well with a contingent of Avalanche fans, and the trade would be beyond lopsided given the amount of young talent Colorado would give up and basically sacrifice its future for the present. But the Avalanche are looking to win a Cup, and given the steep cost of letting their top two prospects go, Ottawa will send them two second-round picks - one for 2024 and the other for 2025.

The Senators have one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL, and although they would be parting with even more draft capital, there is no way they would say no to a pair of high-end prospects. Sure, it would hurt Colorado’s pool as well, but a win-now team collecting a pair of picks is fair compensation here. 

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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)