Evan’s NHL Daily: Trade Board, Latest On Hockey Canada

With the NHL Trade Deadline approaching, we took a look at some of the names that are “out there” that make sense for the Colorado Avalanche and fill a big need. Will the Avalanche be able to pull off any deal for a player or two prior to the deadline? We’ll find out in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, a few days after Alex Formenton surrendered to the London Police, four NHL players from Canada’s 2018 WJC Team have been charged with sexual assault.

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

Colorado Hockey Now

Marc-Andre Fleury? Elias Lindholm? Adam Henrique? There are players out there that could be available that make a lot of sense for the Avalanche. Take a look at CHN’s first official trade board of the season.

Best player in the world? That title sounds pretty good for Nathan MacKinnon.

I’m putting the finishing touches on the Zach Parise film room for CHN+. It’s been interesting to go back and watch his games and see just how much the Islanders used him. I can’t imagine the Avalanche play him 16 minutes a night like they did, but you never know. For access to the Parise film room (and other content) when it drops, use the deal below.

You can get a subscription to CHN+ for $29.99 a year with the code “evan10” and get access to the + content on every site in the network. In addition to the + content, everything will be ad-free, which is the biggest perk.

Hockey Canada

On Tuesday, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Dillon Dube were all charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged assault by several members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team. This is the first time the players have officially been named since the alleged incident.

The players have been directed to surrender to the London Police.

Gary Bettman and the NHL did not comment on Tuesday about the news, but Bettman is set to speak this weekend at the NHL All-Star festivities and I’m sure it will come up.

This is a very sensitive topic, so I’m going to leave it to the professionals who have been covering it since the beginning, including Rick Westhead from TSN, who is probably the best in the business.

Avalanche Prospect Update

Just wanted to take a quick second for an update on some Avalanche prospects. Calum Ritchie is tearing up the OHL with 47 points in 28 games, and I’m hoping to speak to him next week after returning from the New York/New Jersey portion of the Avalanche trip.

Mikhail Gulyayev is rolling in the KHL, having moved into the top four. He scored a goal on a nice shot today for Avangard.

Mikhail Gulyayev with his 4th goal of the season today, and currently leads all defensemen in ice time through two periods on Avangard. pic.twitter.com/lDyfP8IzVR

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) January 31, 2024

Nikolai Kovalenko missed last game due to illness, but is back in the lineup today against CSKA.

We touched on Ivan Ivan’s progress over the weekend, but Jean-Luc Foudy is now back to being an everyday player for the Colorado Eagles after they initially eased him back into the lineup. After going pointless in his first three games, he’s got four points in his last three matches.

The other big prospect I often get asked about is Sean Behrens. Strangely enough, despite the Pioneers being closest to home, I don’t watch them very regularly. His offensive production is about on par with what it’s been his first two years in the NCAA, and he’ll be one to watch after DU’s season ends. Given his age and experience at the NCAA level, he might not be far off from NHL play.

National Hockey Now

A deep dive into the performance of the goaltenders and defensemen of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

There isn’t a ton to cheer for in San Jose, but William Eklund is giving fans a bit of hope.