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Report: Avalanche Scouring Trade Market For Forward Help

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Just as the Avalanche were wrapping up a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on home ice, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman released his 32 Thoughts blog. In one of his points, he highlighted that the Avalanche are looking to add a forward. The Avs played without six of their top 10 forwards in Wednesday’s loss.



“You will not be surprised to hear Colorado is looking for forwards. Need to get through a miserable stretch where five of their top nine are out,” Friedman wrote.

Earlier in the day, head coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Ross Colton broke his foot on Monday and will be out 6-8 weeks. Miles Wood, who suffered an upper-body injury in the same game, is out for 7-10 days. The duo joined an insanely long list of injuries (and a suspension) that led to Bednar dressing a defenseman on the third line against the Bolts. Not ideal.

Gabriel Landeskog remains out with no timetable.

Valeri Nichushkin is still suspended and isn’t eligible to be reinstated until Nov. 13.

Jonathan Drouin is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, although it’s still unclear when he’ll be back. Drouin has not played since opening night.

Artturi Lehkonen, who has not yet played this season, is aiming to return next Tuesday at home against the Seattle Kraken.

It’s anybody’s guess who the Avs could be targeting. This is purely speculation, but one name that instantly came to mind was Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson. The younger brother of Dallas center Jason Robertson can’t seem to find a permanent role under new Leafs coach Craig Berube. He has one goal in nine games this season but scored 14 goals and added 13 assists in 56 games in 2023-24.

If the Avs were to trade for Robertson, it would be with the idea in mind that they’re strictly looking for offensive help. Robertson, a smaller forward, isn’t known for strong two-way play. But if he gets an opportunity with talented linemates, he could take off offensively.

Robertson, 23, is on a one-year deal paying him $875,000. He’ll be a restricted free agent after the season. Given the low cap hit, he might be a worthy gamble for general manager Chris MacFarland.

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