Avalanche reportedly eyeing 3 trade targets in the upcoming 2025-26 season
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The Colorado Avalanche are reportedly setting their sights on three potential trade targets as they prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season, with management exploring ways to bolster their roster and provide the necessary depth and support for another run at the Stanley Cup.
The Avalanche are expected to be contenders this season, which means they'll likely be in the market for reinforcements at both forward and defense as they gear up for hopefully another deep playoff run.
Avalanche reportedly eyeing 3 trade targets next season.
Rob Couch from NHL Trade Rumors writes that forward is the area that stands out as needing the most immediate upgrades. Whether those changes come before the season starts or later, the Avalanche are likely to explore trades at the deadline to bolster their third line and bottom-six forward depth.
It's not difficult to predict that the Chicago Blackhawks will once again be near the bottom of the league standings. As a result, they're likely to become sellers, with several players on expiring contracts drawing the attention of the Avalanche and other contenders looking to strengthen their rosters.
"The one that makes the most sense for the Avalanche though is Ilya Mikheyev. Though there isn't much cap space, Chicago can easily retain half of the $4.037 million AAV deal. He bounced back for 20 goals last season and plays in the bottom-6; perfect for what Colorado is looking for. He can kill penalties, is fast, and received Selke Trophy attention too." -Couch
The Nashville Predators have a significant rebuild ahead after a disappointing 2024-25 season, and so far, their offseason moves haven't suggested they're any closer to mounting a serious comeback.
"I think that they will be on the outside of the playoff picture looking in and some players will start to be shopped. While the new core of the team includes players like Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos, who could be traded in bigger deals, Michael Bunting hasn't been in Nashville very long and will also draw plenty of attention as a rental." -Couch
He has one year remaining on his contract at a $4.5 million AAV and recorded 19 goals and 38 points last season while splitting time between a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team and an even weaker Predators squad.
Having shown he can produce with stronger supporting casts in Toronto and Carolina, he could be a valuable addition for the Avalanche, especially at 50% salary retention, to bolster their third line ahead of a playoff push.
"Victor Arvidsson didn't fit in very well with the Edmonton Oilers, but he has been good everywhere else he's gone. I think he can bounce back on the Boston Bruins, even though they won't be very good offensively this season." -Couch
Playing in the top-six, as he's projected to do, should increase his trade value, and the Avalanche will likely need salary retention, something they should be able to secure if they target Arvidsson.
He carries a $4 million AAV for one final year, and while he recorded 15 goals and 27 points in 67 games last season, he previously totalled 52 goals and 123 points in 161 games with the Los Angeles Kings.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 10 | 20 ANSWERS Avalanche reportedly eyeing 3 trade targets in the upcoming 2025-26 season Which player should the Avalanche target in a trade next season? | ||
| Ilya Mikheyev | 4 | 20 % |
| Michael Bunting | 9 | 45 % |
| Victor Arvidsson | 7 | 35 % |
| List of polls | ||
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