Evan’s NHL Daily: Former Avalanche Defenseman Requests Trade, Rookie Hat Trick

The trade market around the NHL has been extremely quiet, but a former Avalanche defenseman may get the party started after he requested a trade on Friday night. And on the other West Coast, just one night after Connor Bedard made NHL history, the guy picked directly after him picked up his first career hat trick.

With the Colorado Avalanche, we took a look back at the tough loss from Thursday night, and what I’m hearing regarding Artturi Lehkonen.

All that and more in this Saturday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

The powerplay let the Colorado Avalanche down on Thursday night, and I’m pretty sick of seeing the Seattle Kraken.

A look back at the game winning goal for the Kraken, which came off a mistake in the defensive zone at the worst possible time. (+)

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Lehkonen Injury

The Avalanche were off on Friday, so there was no official update on Artturi Lehkonen after his scary spill into the boards on Thursday. We’ll find out more after morning skate, but initial word I’m hearing is that he’s going to miss some time. Nothing is official yet, but that’s just what I heard on Friday. That would be a tough loss, as he’s one of the more consistent forwards on the team up front.

Zadorov Trade Request

Are we about to get a real trade in the NHL?

On Friday night, Nikita Zadorov scored a goal and delivered a massive hit against the Toronto Maple Leafs. After the game, it came out that Zadorov has requested a trade from the Calgary Flames, who are a mess right now.

**Breaking News 🚨 📰**
Fresh off a goal and big hit tonight against the @MapleLeafs , I’m told that D Zadorov through his agent @GoldStarHockey Dan Milstein has requested a trade from the @NHLFlames . #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/TRZqwcgyd5

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) November 11, 2023

I don’t hide that I love Big Z. I’d love to see him back in Colorado, but that would be a difficult trade to make. He’s improved a lot since leaving the Avalanche, and I imagine quite a few teams will go after him. The team he just played, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are one, and according to NJHN, the New Jersey Devils are another.

Zadorov’s personality in Toronto would be very entertaining to watch. It sounds like his agent wants this to be resolved pretty quickly, but I don’t know how reasonable that is with a lot of NHL teams up against the cap.

NHL Rookie Class

Connor Bedard made history on Thursday. On Friday, the guy taken one pick after him picked up his first career hat trick.

Leo Carlsson, who the Ducks are managing early in the season, scored three goals in their loss to the Flyers. He has six goals in nine games already.

With Bedard, Carlsson, Logan Cooley, Adam Fantilli, Luke Hughes, Pavel Mintyukov, and a lot more, the rookie class this year in the NHL is absolutely stacked. There’s so much young talent around the league, and it sure is fun to watch all of these rookies.

National Hockey Now

Six low-profile numbers for the Pittsburgh Penguins that are worth knowing (+)

The San Jose Sharks came back to reality on Friday, one night after taking down the Oilers.

After starting the year red hot, the top line for the Detroit Red Wings has hit a cold streak.

With the return of Brett Pesce, the Carolina Hurricanes are going to have to make some choices on their blueline.