Analysis: Why the Avalanche traded Carl Soderberg to the Coyotes

At the draft this past weekend, word started to leak out that maybe the Avalanche were offering Carl Soderberg around in trade. A few days later, gossip became fact.

The Avs traded veteran Carl Soderberg to the Arizona Coyotes this morning, for defenseman Kevin Connauton and Arizona’s third-round pick in 2020.

In a prepared release, Avs GM Joe Sakic said this as to why the deal was done: “This trade allows some of our young centermen to have a chance to play a more prominent role on our team while adding an experienced defenseman to our roster.”

Why did the Avs just add another defenseman to a roster that arguably already has 10 NHL-ready D-men already? Well, because, it turns out that both Erik Johnson and Ian Cole probably won’t be starting the season on time. Johnson we knew about, with off-season shoulder surgery. Cole, we didn’t until today. The Avs informed me and other media, when the trade went down, that Cole had recent surgery on BOTH hips. So, how long into the season he’ll be out, we don’t know yet but I’ll try to find out soon. So, the need for another guy with some proven experience on D arguably was there before this deal went down.

And, oh by the way, the deal also frees up about $3.5 million in new cap space with which to spend on a potential unrestricted free agent.