Latest report confirms Avalanche eyeing star forward from divisional rival in blockbuster trade
Photo credit: Ezra Shaw / KSL Sports
As the Avalanche continue to figure out how to bolster their lineup ahead of next season, a recent report suggests that Utah Mammoth star forward Nick Schmaltz could be a trade target for Colorado.
Colorado's roster has remained in a state of transition ever since the league-shaking blockbuster trade involving Mikko Rantanen that took place back in January.
Avalanche eyeing star forward from divisional rival.
Sonny Sachdeva from Sportsnet writes that it all started with the blockbuster Rantanen trade that brought in Martin Necas and Jack Drury. That move set off a flurry of activity, as the Avalanche went on to acquire Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, Jimmy Vesey, and Ryan Lindgren in a series of rapid-fire deals.
Late last month, the Avalanche shifted gears, dealing Coyle and Wood to Columbus. Shortly after, they made a splash in free agency by signing veteran defenseman Brent Burns.
It's been a chaotic and fast-moving stretch for the Avalanche as they work to stay competitive in a Western Conference that continues to grow tougher. With teams like Los Angeles making strides and Mitch Marner's arrival in Vegas raising the stakes even further, the pressure is mounting for Colorado to make an impactful upgrade before the start of next season.
"According to Friedman, the Avs are expected to continue tinkering as they look to improve their bottom six - although the group around Nathan MacKinnon up top remains promising, given the return of Gabriel Landeskog and the recent additions of Necas and Nelson, the crew below them doesn't seem set up to contend with the rest of the league's best, especially after seeing what Florida's bottom six did to Edmonton. Removing Coyle and Wood from the equation didn't help matters." -Sachdeva
Colorado's aggressive approach in free agency reveals the level of talent they're targeting. According to Friedman, the Avalanche were one of the teams pursuing Nikolaj Ehlers before he ultimately signed with Carolina.
"Now assessing the fallback options, Colorado could be another potential landing spot for Utah's Schmaltz." -Sachdeva
For Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland, the decision is a broader strategic one, rooted in how Colorado's front office assesses the strength of their competition. Do they take the Vegas approach and load up with depth to match the league's elite? Or do they follow Los Angeles' lead, rely on superstars like MacKinnon and Cale Makar to carry the load, and make only subtle additions around the edges?
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 9 | 23 ANSWERS Latest report confirms Avalanche eyeing star forward from divisional rival in blockbuster trade Should the Avalanche trade for forward Nick Schmaltz from the Utah Mammoth? | ||
| yes | 9 | 39.1 % |
| no | 14 | 60.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
