Evan’s NHL Daily: Mock Avalanche/Penguins Trade, #1 Pick Arriving

There was a light schedule for the NHL on Wednesday, but that won’t be the case on Thursday, with 12 games on the docket. The Coyotes are crumbling, so are the Penguins, and the Jets barely beat the Sharks. Off the ice, Daily Faceoff came up with some mock trades to make their Cupid matches on Valentines Day, and one of them involved the Avalanche. The price was interesting, but does the player even fit what they need?

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens have taken a lot of heat for the way they’ve handled Juraj Slafkovsky, but he seems to be figuring things out right now in the NHL.

All that and more in this Thursday editon of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Take a look back at the win over Washington, where Bowen Byram looked a bit more like himself.

NHL Executives and players chose Cale Makar as the best defenseman in the league.

I spoke to Calum Ritchie on Wednesday night. Look for that interview on CHN today.

Mock Trades

Mock trades are not meant to be taken very seriously. After all, that’s why they’re considered mock trades, but Frank Seravalli came up with an interesting one that got some people talking yesterday.

Playing Deadline Matchmaker, @frank_seravalli shares his mock trade involving Jake Guentzel and the Colorado Avalanche. @tyleryaremchuk

Presented by | @Betano_Canada #TheGameStartsNow | 19+, Please play responsiblyhttps://t.co/m4kVJG2grl pic.twitter.com/sF3Z3bI0Qd

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) February 14, 2024

If you can’t click or see the video, here’s what it is:

To the Avalanche: Jake Guentzel (50% retained), Alex Nedeljkovic

To the Penguins: 2024 and 2025 1st round picks, and a 2025 3rd round pick

That’s a hefty to price to pay for Guentzel, but he’s also a very good player. He’s got 52 points in 50 games for the Penguins this year, and has been a consistent producer since entering the NHL. He also knows how to play with skilled players, having played with Sidney Crosby his entire career.

The flip side of it all is that he’s another winger, and do the Avalanche need to give up that much for another winger? He’s also an unrestricted free agent after this season, one that the Avalanche would have difficulty keeping.

It’s an interesting trade, and given the player, I’m not sure the value is that off, but I’m not sure it’s a fit. Nedeljkovic might actually be a good fit, though…in a separate deal. Thoughts on the deal?

Around The NHL

It’s been an interesting season for Juraj Slafkovsky. There were calls to demote him earlier in the season, but right now, he seems to be catching fire. He’s got points in six straight games, and picked up two more goals on Wednesday.

Speaking of Guentzel. Not only did the Penguins lose again on Wednesday, but they lost Guentzel to injury. Can’t trade him if he’s hurt, and they look like a team that probably should be selling.

Speaking of NHL Trades, Kevin Lebanc wants a fresh start and his agent is working with the Sharks to see if they can make that happen.

There’s a new captain in town in Philadelphia, and it’s Sean Couturier.