Mile High Sticking
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3 young forwards the Colorado Avalanche must seriously consider trading for in the 2024 offseason

The Colorado Avalanche have quite a few pending free agents on the horizon, and not everyone will return, so making some trades could be the way to go.

By Todd Matthews

Jan 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras (11) controls the puck ahead of Colorado Avalanche center Alex Newhook (18) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras (11) controls the puck ahead of Colorado Avalanche center Alex Newhook (18) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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The Colorado Avalanche were one of the NHL’s most entertaining teams at the 2024 trade deadline a few months back, and perhaps that will be the case in the offseason. While it’s true they have limited assets to move at this point, it’s still worth exploring the concept of pulling off a blockbuster or even a solid trade for high-potential youngsters. 

The Avs are already deep at forward, but with a chance to further solidify the unit via trade, it could set the stage that they would be nearly impossible for anyone to stop when they have the puck. That factor alone could take this team even deeper into the playoffs next season if they add just one more puzzle piece to the mix. 

So, who could make for a surprise trade acquisition to Denver this offseason? Here are three names who could be on the move in the coming months, and one may end up in the Mile High City if general manager Chris MacFarland is willing to move more future assets. 

Trevor Zegras/Anaheim Ducks

It sounds farfetched that a rebuilding team like the Anaheim Ducks would even think of trading Trevor Zegras, but with so much young depth at forward among their young players and prospects, it’s more than a possibility. More likely, Anaheim would try to move Zegras to an organization richer in future assets than Colorado, but if Chris MacFarland is willing to move draft picks and a youngster or two from his own prospects pool, this trade is more than possible. 

Zegras just finished an injury-riddled season, but don’t let that trick you into thinking he won’t be useful for a team like the Avalanche, who have a very young group of forwards when you think about it. If this team extends Nikolai Kovalenko and re-signs RFA Casey Mittelstadt, plus the likes of Brandon Duhaime and Yakov Trenin, Zegras would factor in as the missing piece. 

He would cost a first-round pick and likely a mid-round pick, plus a high-end prospect, likely someone like Mikhail Gulyayev or Sean Behrens. Moving another high draft pick and a prospect may not sound like a great option for some, but adding someone like Zegras while making the transactions shown above would give the Avs four deep lines at forward. 

Best yet, that could be the case long-term should MacFarland find a way to fit everyone into reasonable, multi-year contracts. It would be a challenge, given Zegras’ overall upside, but bright minds like MacFarland would find a way to make it work.

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