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Avalanche Trade Rumors

NHL Trade Deadline: What Assets Could the Avalanche Move?

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Oskar Olausson nhl trade avalanche

The NHL Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching. In case you missed it, we released our Avalanche trade board last week.

We can talk all we want about who the Avalanche can and should trade for, but in order to trade for someone, you have to give something up.

Last year, the Avalanche gave up a lot in their quest to win the Stanley Cup. And it worked out for them. When you win the Stanley Cup, you ultimately don’t care what you gave up to get there.

But where does that leave the Avalanche now? Well, without a ton of assets, to be honest. They traded a lot of their top prospects last Spring, as well as some high draft picks. It makes this NHL trade deadline a little more difficult to navigate. Chris MacFarland might have to get creative if he finds a player he thinks would be a good fit.

Let’s take a look at what assets the Avalanche have that might be on the table in a trade, and how likely that asset gets moved.

Sam Girard

Trade Probability: Extremely Low

Let’s just get this one out of the way, since I know I’ll hear about it if I don’t list him. I think there’s a world where the Avalanche do deal Girard in the future, but I can’t imagine that’s a trade deadline deal. That’s an offseason move if I’ve ever seen one.

And even then, there are questions. Bowen Byram has not shown an ability to stay healthy over a full season. Josh Manson has been injury prone the last five years. And most importantly, Devon Toews will be one year from unrestricted free agency. Until you have a clearer idea on a potential Toews extension, a Girard trade is tough to make.

Girard is still a big part of the blueline, and the staff trusts him a lot. With how many injuries they’ve dealt with this season, I just can’t see him being on the table at the NHL trade deadline.

The 2023 First Round Pick

Trade Probability: It’s possible…in the right deal

Last summer, the Avalanche didn’t draft until the sixth round. They traded away Justin Barron and Drew Helleson at the deadline for players that they were able to re-sign. The cupboard, as it stands now, is pretty bare. Eventually, they’re going to have to start restocking it.

That’s what makes this first round pick such an interesting piece in a trade. The 2023 draft is considered very strong, and at the moment, this pick for the Avalanche would land in the teens. You can land a good player for the future in that spot. With most of the Avalanche core locked up long term, they’ll eventually need good players on entry level contracts to come in and help out. That’s why I think the 2023 first rounder is going to be off the table…for a rental.

If the Avalanche find a player they think they can re-sign, or one that has term, I have no doubt they’ll look to move this pick. They understand they have a team built to win now, and they won’t be afraid to go for it. I just don’t think it happens for a pure rental.

Any Other Draft Pick

Trade Probability: High

I think all bets are off with these other draft picks. Granted, the Avalanche don’t have a ton of them. They are without a second or third round pick until 2025. But they won’t hesitate to deal future picks if they think they’ve found a player that can help them win the Stanley Cup. Last NHL trade deadline, they moved a 2024 second round. What’s to stop them from moving 2025 picks?

Alex Newhook

Trade Probability: Very Low

Newhook has looked as comfortable as he ever has in the NHL at center in the last 40 days or so. With both J.T. Compher and Evan Rodrigues staring down unrestricted free agency, moving Newhook could create a hole in the lineup next season. He’s up for a new contract this summer, but given his production, we’re not looking at a deal that’s going to break the bank.

I have a hard time seeing him being on the trade block in the next few weeks. You only move Newhook for someone you think you can keep around for a long time, and I’m not sure that player is out there.

Jean-Luc Foudy

Trade Probability: Low

I don’t think Foudy is off the table, but he strikes me as a player that has more value to the organization than he would in a trade. The Avalanche have gotten a taste of what he can do a the NHL level, and with the cap situation looking tight next season, he’s a guy who could see significant time in the NHL next year. They will need a cheap player like that next season, and one with potential to get better.

Oskar Olausson

Trade Probability: Medium

I have Olausson more likely to get traded than Foudy, but I will admit to not being as high on Olausson. His 20 year old season with the Colorado Eagles has been fine. 18 points in 44 games at that age is acceptable. However, I think he’s a ways off from being a regular NHL player. There are holes in his game that need work, and whether or not he can round out his game is a question.

I don’t believe he’s a guy they’re clamoring to move in a deal, but if the right move comes along, he’s not untouchable.

Sean Behrens

Trade Probability: Very Low

Last Spring, the team dealt Justin Barron and Drew Helleson, leaving Behrens as the only prospect of value in the system on defense. He’s having another solid season at DU, and played well for Team USA at the World Juniors. Because this team simply has no other defensive prospects, I can’t imagine Behrens is a guy they look to move.

Ben Meyers

Trade Probability: Low

When the Avalanche signed Meyers out of Minnesota last Spring, the expectation was he would be on the roster full-time this season. That’s kind of been the case.

He’s played in 29 games for the Avalanche, and 14 for the Eagles. It hasn’t quite gone the way everyone had hoped. He only has one point in the NHL this season, a puck that bounced off his body and into the net. There has been growth in the rest of the game, and Bednar has been happy with his game, but the complete lack of production is hard to ignore.

That being said, I’m not sure he’s a guy they move, but it’s not off the table. Signing a big College free agent and then trading him less than a year later might hinder your ability to pull off a move like that again, but teams talk their way out of things like that all the time. The real question is how much do teams actually value Meyers at this point. He’s 24, and has only two points in 34 NHL games. He might have more value to the organization than in a trade. Not impossible, but not a guy I see them moving on from in a few weeks.

The Rest of the Prospect Group (Ranta, Bowers, etc)

Trade Probability: High

All of these players are on the table at the deadline. The question is: What kind of value do they actually have?

Shane Bowers is in his fourth pro season and while I like his game a lot, his AHL numbers have been trending the wrong way. He strikes me as someone the Avalanche might move out in a “change of scenery” move, acquiring someone similar in another organization who might need a fresh start.

Sampo Ranta has put up identical numbers for the Eagles this year compared to last. In 16 NHL games, he has zero points. He looked better in his first call-up this season, but his second one lasted all of one game because it was a mess.

These two, as well as any other prospect we haven’t named could easily be tossed into a move at the NHL trade deadline.

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