Evan’s NHL Daily: Avalanche Linked To Veteran Defenseman, Prosvetov Honored

The Colorado Avalanche certainly have some needs they have to address prior to the NHL Trade Deadline. Everyone knows about the hole at second line center, and how the team wants to add a backup goaltender, but a defenseman? And not just any defenseman, but arguably the best defenseman on the market? Well, color me surprised when Elliotte Friedman linked them to someone who is going to cost a serious asset for any team to acquire.

With the Colorado Avalanche, Bowen Byram discussed what went into the meeting he had with Nolan Pratt, and in the AHL, Ivan Prosvetov is doing exactly what he needs to do to earn another shot in the NHL.

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

Colorado Hockey Now

Is Nikolai Kovalenko any good at center? He played a little bit last year, and he’s getting a test run now prior to the KHL Playoffs.

It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a win. Still, more people were wondering what’s going on with Mikko Rantanen after Sunday night’s game.

Bowen Byram is heating up, and apparently getting more comfortable on his off-side.

Avalanche Linked To Chris Tanev?

I really don’t know what to believe at this time of the year. You hear a lot of different things from various sources, but listening to the 32 Thoughts podcast on Monday, I was caught off guard when Elliotte Friedman linked the Avalanche to Chris Tanev, who will not come cheap at the NHL Trade Deadline.

Here’s exactly what he had to say.

“When it comes to Tanev, I think the Flames are waiting until a first round pick gets offered. I think that’s what they’re waiting for, and if a team steps up with a first rounder, I could see it happening. I think there’s a pretty big group there. It’s Toronto, which I think is offering multiple picks but none of them a first. It’s Toronto, it’s Dallas, I think Colorado’s in there. Edmonton and Vancouver. Vancouver, I think it’s very hard for them to do, but I think they like the idea of it, and they would really prefer Edmonton not get him.”

Based on what centers have been getting so far, I have no doubt that Calgary could get a first round pick prior to the NHL Trade Deadline for Chris Tanev, but I can’t see the Avalanche going there. Colorado’s name even coming up caught me off guard. Tanev is a very good defensive defenseman, but the Avalanche are already deep on defense. Sure, he’d really round it out, and certainly would allow the Avalanche to take a bit of the load off Cale Makar on the penalty kill, but it would still be a surprise.

Unless, of course, they move a defenseman in another deal. Or if they feel they can’t find help up front and just decide to load up on defense, but even then, there’s only so many minutes to go around.

To me, as good as Tanev is at his job, there are greater needs for the team to focus on. Just interesting to hear Colorado be listed there.

Prosvetov Honored

Will Ivan Prosvetov get another shot in the NHL before the deadline? We’ll see, but he’s gone to the AHL and don’t exactly what he’s needed to do. On Monday, he was selected as Player Of The Week for his work.

Colorado Eagles goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (3-0-0, 1.67, .949) has been selected as the Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending Feb. 18.https://t.co/GzhxYTOoKf

— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) February 19, 2024

In total, he’s played five games with the Eagles, hasn’t lost, and has a .952 save percentage. Not bad.

National Hockey Now

The San Jose Sharks don’t have a ton of fantastic assets to deal before the NHL Trade Deadline, but Alexander Barabanov is interesting. A healthy scratch weeks before the deadline won’t help his value.

Should the Panthers retire the jersey of Jaromir Jagr?

Chemistry on the team may get in the way of trades for the Detroit Red Wings (+)

Why the Nashville Predators cancelled their trip to see U2…yes, that’s right.