But in short, he\u2019s a proven Stanley Cup winner, has been an offensive producer in depth roles in the past, is a big body listed at 6\u20194, 201 lbs, and he\u2019s on a very manageable deal with another year remaining while still in the prime of his career.<\/p>\n
It all adds up to precisely what Colorado needs. The question is, will the Maple Leafs be sellers? And if so, are they willing to trade a piece like Roy, who isn\u2019t on an expiring deal?<\/p>\n
Scott Laughton, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
\nAge: 31
\nContract: $1.5 million cap hit, UFA in July<\/p>\n
Like the Predators, the Maple Leafs also have two intriguing pieces that can solve Colorado\u2019s 3C need.<\/p>\n
If not Roy, then what about Laughton? The key difference here is that Laughton is a pending UFA and is likely to be seeking a raise from the $3 million he\u2019s making this season. Philadelphia retained 50% of his contract before shipping him to Toronto last year, so he\u2019s available at $1.5 million, with the possibility of more being retained.<\/p>\n
Laughton hasn\u2019t had the best season with the Leafs, but he\u2019s come on in recent weeks. He\u2019s also not being utilized nearly as much as he was in Philadelphia, or he likely would be if the Avs made him a 3C.<\/p>\n
Boone Jenner, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
\nAge: 32
\nContract: $3.75 million, UFA in July<\/p>\n
Almost a decade ago, the Columbus Blue Jackets dangled Boone Jenner as one of the key pieces to try to acquire Matt Duchene from the Avs. Jenner has been the heartbeat of that franchise since he broke into the league. He even played with Duchene in 2019 when they swept the 62-win Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.<\/p>\n
The Blue Jackets have been red hot since Rick Bowness became their head coach. Will that shift their plans from being sellers at the deadline? Maybe. But if not, he can certainly fill the 3C role on the Avs as a rental piece.<\/p>\n
His history of injury issues probably pushes him further down the list.<\/p>\n
Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames
\nAge: 35
\nContract: 7 million, UFA in 2029<\/p>\n
This should probably be in my honorable mentions section, but Nazem Kadri is willing to accept a trade to a contender, and well, the Avs are that.<\/p>\n
How do they make the salary work for the next 3 years? How much does Calgary need to retain? What are you trading to bring him in at less than $7 million? Those are difficult questions to answer, and they\u2019re all reasons why this likely won\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n
Blake Coleman, LW, Calgary Flames
\nAge: 34
\nContract: $4.9 million cap hit, UFA in 2027<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not sure why, but a Blake Coleman addition makes a lot of sense. At least to me. Simply because, if it\u2019s going to cost a first-round draft pick and another valuable piece to bring in Sherwood as a rental. Could Calgary be enticed with that package for Coleman with some salary retention? If so, that would give Colorado Coleman for two playoff runs, and his deal would expire when Cale Makar is ready to basically double his salary.<\/p>\n
Coleman is a proven winner. He was part of that Tampa Bay roster that won two Stanley Cups in a row. He and Colton were teammates in 2021 when they won the second Cup. Perhaps the two of them could ride shotgun as the wingers on the third line with whoever the Avs bring in to play center.<\/p>\n
Of course, this scenario would require a decent amount of cap retention. Otherwise, Colton might need to be shipped out to make room for Coleman\u2019s salary, whether in the same deal or another one. Not that I\u2019m trying to drive Colton out of town, but Coleman at $4.9 million and Colton at $4 million on the third line just doesn\u2019t work. Especially when you add in the need for a 3C.<\/p>\n
Michael Bunting, LW\/RW, Nashville Predators
\nAge: 30
\nContract: $4.5 million cap hit, UFA in July<\/p>\n
The Predators also have a winger who would be a solid addition to the Avs\u2019 bottom six. Michael Bunting is an energy player with a reputation as a pest. But his teammates everywhere have loved having him.<\/p>\n
In 2024, he was traded from Carolina to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline for Jake Guentzel. Last year, the Pens shipped him to Nashville. Now, he\u2019s on an expiring deal and could be a solid addition to the third line if the trade involved maximum salary retention.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth noting that the Preds have just one more salary retention slot to use at this year\u2019s trade deadline. The two players occupying the other slots (Mattias Ekholm and Colton Sissons) both fall off this summer.<\/p>\n
Michael McCarron, C\/RW, Nashville Predators
\nAge: 30
\nContract: $900,000 cap hit, UFA in July<\/p>\n
Michael McCarron is currently the 3C on the Predators behind O\u2019Reilly and Haula. He makes just $900,000 against the cap on an expiring deal. But I\u2019m not necessarily suggesting he plays that same role in Colorado.<\/p>\n
If the Avs are looking for depth options in the bottom six, he would be a reasonable option. It\u2019s similar to what they had in Nico Sturm in 2022. In fact, if Haula, O\u2019Reilly, or Bunting are actual targets for Colorado, you might be able to finagle McCarron out of Nashville in the same deal.<\/p>\n
McCarron has experience on the wing and could provide that as a low-cost acquisition. Or, if the Avs decide not to acquire a 3C and instead load up with stronger third-line wingers, McCarron could fill in as 4C behind Jack Drury. But again, the priority is likely to have Drury be the 4C.<\/p>\n
Logan Stanley, LD, Winnipeg Jets
\nAge: 27
\nContract: $1.25 million, UFA in July<\/p>\n
The Avs have a strong top six on the blueline. But it still feels like they could make a few changes to really take that next step. Does that mean finally trading Samuel Girard and opening a spot on the left side for a physical defenseman? Maybe.<\/p>\n
If so, a bigger body like Stanley could be the type of piece the Avs add.<\/p>\n
Jamie Oleksiak, LD, Seattle Kraken
\nAge: 33
\nContract: $4.6 million, UFA in July<\/p>\n
Listed at 6\u20197, Jamie Oleksiak is the same type of towering defenseman as Stanley, but with more veteran experience. He was a key piece of the 2023 Kraken team that defeated the Avalanche in the first round. But his role and ice time have since diminished.<\/p>\n
As a third-pair guy, perhaps alongside Sam Malinski, Oleksiak could beef up Colorado\u2019s defense core. That\u2019s if the Kraken fall out of playoff contention, which currently isn\u2019t the case.<\/p>\n
Mario Ferraro, LD, San Jose Sharks
\nAge: 27
\nContract: $3.25 million, UFA in July.<\/p>\n
Mario Ferraro was on every trade board I\u2019ve written over the last two years. He felt like a reasonable addition in 2024. Even more so in 2025. But in 2026? It feels less likely. For many reasons.<\/p>\n
For starters, the Avs would no longer benefit from his reasonable cap hit for multiple years as Ferraro is a pending unrestricted free agent and will likely get a pay raise this summer. Also, like the Seattle Kraken, the San Jose Sharks are well in the thick of a playoff race. They could even be Colorado\u2019s first-round opponent come April.<\/p>\n
But they\u2019re getting close to shifting towards selling. San Jose lost three straight games heading into the Olympic break.<\/p>\n
Honorable Mentions<\/p>\n
J.G. Pageau, C, New York Islanders\u00a0\u2014 If the Islanders weren\u2019t having as good a season as they\u2019ve had, Jean-Gabriel Pageau would\u2019ve been the top centerman on my list.
\nBrett Kulak, LD, Pittsburgh Penguins\u00a0\u2014 Brett Kulak is definitely available and likely will be dealt. But outside of trading him for a mid-round pick to be a No. 7 defenseman, I don\u2019t see him as an improvement on what Colorado already has.
\nPavel Mintyukov, LD, Anaheim Ducks \u2014 The Ducks are playing well again and back in the playoff picture. It\u2019s unlikely they\u2019ll want to rush into trading a 21-year-old unless they absolutely have to.<\/p>\n
Previously On The List<\/p>\n
Artemi Panarin (traded to the Los Angeles Kings)
\nKiefer Sherwood (traded to the San Jose Sharks)
\nCarson Soucy (traded to the New York Islanders)<\/p>\n
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