Latest report reveals forgotten Avalanche trade that might be the worst in franchise history

Back in 2011, the Avalanche pulled off a draft-day trade that may have ended up costing them a potential franchise cornerstone in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Nestor Quixtan from Mile High Sticking writes that the 2011 NHL Draft wasn't exactly a disappointment for the Avalanche, they selected Gabriel Landeskog with the second-overall pick, a move that paid off tremendously.

The Edmonton Oilers took Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall, while the Florida Panthers followed up by grabbing Jonathan Huberdeau at No. 3.

That same day, the Avalanche struck a deal with the Washington Capitals to acquire young goaltender Semyon Varlamov.

At the time, Varlamov was coming off an impressive season, posting a 2.23 GAA and a .924 save percentage over 27 games. With 11 wins under his belt, he appeared to be on the verge of becoming a reliable starting netminder in the NHL.

So, the Avalanche went ahead with the trade, bringing in Varlamov as a clear upgrade over Peter Budaj. However, the move came at a steep price, it cost Colorado a second-round pick and a 2012 first-round pick.

The Avalanche had already secured their future captain, Gabriel Landeskog, in 2011, and just two years later, they'd land a franchise-altering talent in Nathan MacKinnon. But imagine how wild it would have been if Colorado had also drafted Filip Forsberg in 2012, adding yet another superstar to an already stacked core.

In hindsight, the 2011 trade for Varlamov may have cost the Avalanche a chance at another franchise cornerstone. Of course, no one could have predicted that the first-round pick they gave up would eventually become become Forsberg.

Ironically, the Capitals themselves didn't hang on to Forsberg for long. They later traded him to the Predators in a deal that's still widely criticized to this day.

Source:
Mile High Sticking
Colorado Avalanche's worst trade that no one talks about