REPORT: Avalanche Could Look To The Desert For Help At Center

Does anyone believe anything they hear in the weeks leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline? I don’t blame you if you don’t, but it’s always a time where names are thrown around and you never really know what is going on.

Don’t worry, Avalanche fans. Only 16 more days of this.

On Wednesday night, Elliotte Friedman released his 32 Thoughts written article, although he only was able to come up with 26 this week. It’s a lot of information leading up to potential move prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, and the Avalanche popped up in two.

First, let’s start with one we wrote about earlier this week, as the Avalanche are, once again, linked to Chris Tanev.

With Chris Tanev, the Flames continue to hold and see if a first-rounder (or something they consider comparable) becomes available. Dallas is very much into this, although some teams suspect they like Hanifin, too. Others: Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver. Colorado’s been in and out, as have others.

We already talked about this one, so no real need to go further into it. If it costs a first rounder, given the needs the Avalanche have, I doubt they’d be the team to walk away with Tanev.

Now let’s get to the new information. Everyone knows the Avalanche are looking for center help, and apparently the Arizona Coyotes have a handful of players that may be available at the NHL Trade Deadline. That team loves their draft picks, so I’m assuming that’s what it would cost. Here’s what Friedman had to say…

Colorado’s search for a centre may take them through Arizona. They know Alex Kerfoot, and could also consider Nick Bjugstad. Another Coyote name to watch is Michael Carcone, who was red-hot earlier in the season. He’s got 15 goals.

Everyone remembers Alex Kerfoot, right? The Avalanche signed him as a free agent out of College, and it was actually a great signing. After a few solid seasons in the NHL, the Avalanche turned around a dealt him to Toronto in the Nazem Kadri deal. I’d say that worked out.

Kerfoot signed in Arizona last summer, and is under contract through next season at $3.5 million. I have a feeling fans might not be super excited about a move like this, but I’ve always liked Kerfoot. He’s a talented playmaker whose put up 31 points so far this year. His underlying numbers have always been pretty solid, but there’s no getting around the fact that he’s a smaller guy. $3.5 million is pretty good value for what he brings, but may not be what the fans want.

Nick Bjugstad is an interesting one. He was on our trade board last NHL Trade Deadline, but ended up in Edmonton. He re-signed in Arizona over the summer, and will make $2.1 million next year as well. His offensive numbers in Arizona are quite strong this year (29 points), almost identical to that of Kerfoot, but his underlyings are better. He’s also a very different player at 6’6″. For his size, he’s quite a good skater, so I could definitely see a fit. He’s also a fair bit better in the face-off circle than Kerfoot.

Carcone makes $775,000 this year and next, and is putting up Cy Young-esque numbers, with 15 goals and just 5 assists. He’s another smaller guy at 5’10”.

Be prepared to hear more names get thrown around over the next two weeks. That’s just what happens around the NHL Trade Deadline.

What is everyone’s thoughts on these names? Yay or nay?