Insider confirms Avalanche poised to pull off a huge blockbuster trade before the start of next season
Photo credit: Minas Panagiotakis / Mile High Sticking
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman outlines the Colorado Avalanche's summer plans, noting that the team intends to take full advantage of its available salary cap space to pursue a blockbuster trade.
The Avalanche might be holding back, patiently waiting for the perfect deal to present itself.
Avalanche poised to pull off a huge blockbuster trade.
Nestor Quixtan from Mile High Sticking writes that in the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman explored the Avalanche's position after early free agency rush, emphasizing how the trade of Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood opened up cap space the team hadn't enjoyed in past seasons.
"Friedman also noted that the Coyle and Wood trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets opened up spots in the team's bottom six. Judging from Daily Faceoff's lineup projection, Friedman has a point." -Quixtan
The Avalanche's top two lines are impressively stacked. Leading the first line is elite center Nathan MacKinnon, flanked by reliable goal-scorers Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas. The second line features Brock Nelson alongside Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin. Although his line leans a bit older, its combined strength and skill make it tough for any opponent to compete with.
"But the bottom six does leave some question marks. Jack Drury and Parker Kelly are penciled in as the 3C and 4C. That looks fine for now. But it's on the wings where upgrades could be needed. Ivan Ivan and Ross Colton hit the wings on the third line. Colton is a great player, while Ivan still needs to prove himself at the NHL level." -Quixtan
Meanwhile, prospects Nikita Prischepov and Matthew Stienburg are set to fill out the fourth line. While I'm all for young talent making up the bottom six, it's likely the Avalanche will be targeting a seasoned, gritty forward come the trade deadline.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 9 | 32 ANSWERS Insider confirms Avalanche poised to pull off a huge blockbuster trade before the start of next season Do you think the Avalanche are done making moves this offseason? | ||
| yes | 5 | 15.6 % |
| no | 27 | 84.4 % |
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