NHL Offseason: Avalanche Trade Board 1.0

Just like we did at the trade deadline, we’re putting together a trade board here at CHN for the Colorado Avalanche.

The Stanley Cup final is still going on, but the moves have already started. Philadelphia dealt Ivan Provorov in a three-team trade, and with the cap space they saved in the move, the Los Angeles Kings turned around and signed Vladislav Gavrikov. In addition to that, news has come out that Pierre-Luc Dubois wants a trade, and Alex DeBrincat is highly likely to get dealt.

And it’s still the early part of June.

There is one position that you’re going to see on this list a lot, and it’s center. Specifically, a second line center. There just aren’t any available in free agency, so trade is where the Avalanche will have the best chance of finding a solution for someone to play behind Nathan MacKinnon.

We will update the board as the summer goes on, and as more information comes out, so for now, whose on the list?

C Pierre-Luc Dubois

Age: 24

Contract: Restricted free agent, $6 million qualifying offer

We went over Dubois in detail yesterday and if the Avalanche should pursue a trade for him, but new information has come forward. He and his representation will give the Jets five or six teams he’d be willing to sign a long-term extension with. That’s kind of a game changer, to be honest. If the Avalanche are on that list, they 100% have to make the call. Can they afford him long-term? That’s another question altogether, but if the organization is looking to find a long-term solution, you’re not likely to find a better fit than Dubois.

Will the Avalanche get him? Get the latest odds: Check out Neds.

C Elias Lindholm

Age: 28

Contract: 1 year remaining, $4,850,000 cap hit, will be unrestricted free agent

Dubois has the advantage in age, but if you’re looking for the absolute best fit to play behind MacKinnon, it’s Lindholm. A stellar player at both ends of the ice, and a terrific face-off man to boot. He’s got one year left on his deal, and new general manager Craig Conroy has to figure out if he can get Lindholm to agree to an extension. If he can’t, he’s on the record saying that he doesn’t want to lose another really good player for nothing. That would mean Lindholm might become available. Like Dubois, the question of how much they can afford long-term is there, but the fit with the player is perfect.

C/W Kevin Hayes

Age: 31

Contract: 3 years remaining, $7,142,857 cap hit

Far from a perfect fit, as he’s getting older, and spent most of the year playing wing for the Flyers, but Colorado sniffed around him at the deadline. This past season was his first with over 50 points, partly because he actually stayed healthy for a full season. With that sort of production (or lack thereof), he might not be the answer, but he’s still a solid player. The Avalanche have always had interest in him, dating all the way back to when he became a free agent out of college. If they were going to acquire him, they’d almost certainly ask the Flyers to retain some of that contract.

C Evgeny Kuznetsov

Age: 31

Contract: 2 years remaining, $7,800,000 cap hit

Another player who wants a change of scenery, but real questions exist if he’s on the decline at this stage in his career. His production plummeted this past year, but he’s just one season removed from 78 points in 79 games. A very creative player who, offensively, would fit in Colorado, but leaves a lot to be desired at the other end of the rink. The new coach in Washington might try to keep him happy, but with a contract that big, the Avalanche would likely ask for some retention if a move was to be made.

C/W Nick Schmaltz

Age: 27

Contract: 3 year remaining, $5,850,000 cap hit

In terms of age and production, he’s a great fit, but is he even a center at this point? He’s played wing the majority of the last two seasons, which have been his most productive in the NHL. His cap hit is manageable with the cap expected to go up next season, but you’d have to feel confident in his ability to play center with a move like this.

C Adam Henrique

Age: 33

Contract: 1 year remaining, $5,825,000 cap hit

Henrique is getting traded, it’s just a matter of whether or not Anaheim holds onto him until the deadline. They’re not going to be good, and he can bring back some valuable assets in return. We talked about him a lot at the deadline, but at his age, he’s a clear short-term fix. If the Avalanche don’t want to make a big move for someone they’d have to pay a lot of money to long-term, Henrique makes a lot of sense.

W William Nylander

Age: 27

Contract: 1 year remaining, $6,962,366 cap hit

Another player we touched on a few weeks back, because he would be a perfect stylistic fit with the Avalanche. While he’s dabbled at center here and there, he’s mostly played wing, and is one of the more productive ones in the league, coming off a 40 goal season. If the Maple Leafs do decide they’re going to move one of the big four, he seems like the easiest one to move.

C/W Jack Roslovic

Age: 26

Contract: 1 year remaining, $4,000,000 cap hit

This is not a solution to the 2C problem, but more of a “we think this guy would fit better in our system” type of move. Roslovic has skill, but is inconsistent in a lot of areas of his game. His point production has been steady the last two years. Would he fit better with more talent around him?

W Brock Boeser

Age: 26

Contract: 2 years remaining, $6,650,000 cap hit

A name I’ve heard the Avalanche have sniffed around in the past, but nothing has come of it. Once one of the more promising young goal scorers in the league, it seems like he’s been destined to move out of Vancouver for a while now. His name has been in the rumor mill for years, so they may continue to hold onto him, but still a player whose shot makes him dangerous from anywhere in the offensive zone.

LW Ross Colton

Contract: Restricted free agent, $1,250,000 qualifying offer

Tampa Bay is in a cap pinch, and Colton may be the odd-man out. He didn’t quite reach the production he had the previous season, but still had a solid season. Has played a little bit of center but mostly sticks to wing. Outside of being a productive player, he’s a pain to play against, something the Avalanche could use. Unlikely to come cheap, and will need a (likely) pricey extension, but Tampa is in a really tough position and may be forced to move him.

Beyond these names, there are always players that fly under the radar that get moved. That’s where Colorado has excelled in the past, acquiring the likes of Devon Toews and Artturi Lehkonen. Would anyone be surprised if they pulled off a move like that again? I sure wouldn’t be.

It promises to be an exciting offseason for the Avalanche, who look to avoid another first round exit next season.