Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland met with traveling media in Los Angeles ahead of Colorado’s 4-2 victory over the Kings. He answered questions about the Brett Kulak trade and was open about why the move was made.
There were two keys to his response. First, the need for a new look on the blueline, swapping a smaller puck mover in Samuel Girard for a bigger body with a more stay-at-home game in Kulak. And second, the additional cap space that was obtained in that trade.
It’s no secret that Colorado is expected to be a buyer before Friday’s 1 p.m. MT deadline. The added cap space makes the next three days all the more intriguing. MacFarland has never been shy to make a big move. And it doesn’t sound like he’s going to operate any differently for the No. 1 team in the NHL.
“I think there are a few guys on our team that we wouldn’t entertain [trading], but we’re gonna leave no stone unturned,” MacFarland said. “We’ve got some cap space to play with.”
With that, here is the third, and likely final, Avalanche Trade Board ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. The players are listed starting with centers, wingers, and then defensemen.
Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames
Age: 35
Contract: $7 million cap hit, UFA in 2029
I spent weeks believing that this was nothing more than a pipe dream. But the steam seems to be picking up on a potential Nazem Kadri reunion with the Avalanche. After swapping Girard for Kulak, the Avs’ available cap space grew to just under $10 million.
Without trading any players off the current roster, that alone is enough to both acquire Kadri and activate Logan O’Connor off long-term injury reserve if he’s healthy before the end of the season.
Insiders have openly talked about the Avs’ interest in reacquiring Kadri. On Monday, Chris Johnston of SDPN went as far as saying that talks are picking up, and called Colorado the frontrunner, as of now, for Kadri.
Things can change on a dime. But this would be a crazy turn of events given how the last three years have unfolded. We’ll have to wait and see if MacFarland can pull this off, or if another Central Division team could pry him away from Calgary first.
Ryan O’Reilly, C, Nashville Predators
Age: 34
Contract: $4.5 million cap hit, UFA in 2027
The longer the season has gone on, the more we’ve heard that Ryan O’Reilly isn’t interested in leaving the Nashville Predators. After all, they’re still very much in the thick of the playoff race and could even end up being Colorado’s first-round opponent.
O’Reilly doesn’t have trade protection, but the Preds have said they’re going to treat the veteran as if he does. Unless that thought process changes, then O’Reilly will get to choose if he wants to go. And right now he has no desire to leave Nashville.
In the middle of a spectacular season, O’Reilly would be a great 2C for any team that needs center help. If the Avs managed to get their hands on him, he would be the best 3C in the NHL. O’Reilly has one year remaining after this season at a manageable $4.5 million.
But again, it just doesn’t seem likely to happen unless something drastically changes over the next 72 hours. I
Erik Haula, C, Nashville Predators
Age: 34
Contract: $3.15 million cap hit, UFA in July
What if the answer for the 3C hole is with the Nashville Predators, but what if it’s not O’Reilly?
Erik Haula is on an expiring deal, making just $3.15 million against the cap. He had recently been elevated to the 2C position on the Preds and is on pace to crack the 40+ point mark for the fourth time in his career. He’s obviously not cut out to be in the top six with the Avs, but he would be a solid 3C.
Though he isn’t as big as the Avs might prefer for a 3C, he still plays with a lot of energy and isn’t afraid to get in the dirty areas and take a hit. He likely wouldn’t cost nearly as much as O’Reilly, either.
Scott Laughton, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 31
Contract: $1.5 million cap hit, UFA in July
Like the Predators, the Maple Leafs also have two intriguing pieces that can solve Colorado’s 3C need. The other being Nic Roy (more on him below).
Scott Laughton was recently connected to the Avs as an option by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. He makes $3 million, but only $1.5 million for the Maple Leafs, since the Philadelphia Flyers retained 50% of his salary when they dealt him to Toronto last year. He would be a low-cost option (in regard to his cap hit) with an opportunity for added retention.
But the big question here is, does Laughton fill the Avs’ needs? Colorado needs a 3C that can push Jack Drury down to the fourth line. But Laughton, in his first full season with the Maple Leafs, has played mostly fourth-line minutes. I’m just not sure if he’s much of an upgrade.
Nicolas Roy, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 29
Contract: $3 million cap hit, UFA in 2027
I wrote about why Roy would be a great fit for the Avalanche last month; you can read about it here.
But in short, he’s a proven Stanley Cup winner, has been an offensive producer in depth roles in the past, is a big body listed at 6’4, 201 lbs, and he’s on a very manageable deal with another year remaining while still in the prime of his career.
It all adds up to precisely what Colorado needs. The question is, will the Maple Leafs commit to selling? And if so, are they willing to trade a piece like Roy, who isn’t on an expiring deal?
He certainly would make more sense than Laughton. But it also comes with that additional commitment for next season.
Boone Jenner, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 32
Contract: $3.75 million cap hit, UFA in July
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.
The Blue Jackets have been red hot since Rick Bowness became their head coach, winning yet again on Monday. 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.
His history of injury issues probably pushes him further down the list.
Blake Coleman, LW, Calgary Flames
Age: 34
Contract: $4.9 million cap hit, UFA in 2027
I’m not sure why, but a Blake Coleman addition makes a lot of sense. At least to me. If Colorado swung a deal for him, it would give them Coleman for two playoff runs, and his deal would expire when Cale Makar is ready to basically double his salary.
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.
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’s salary, whether in the same deal or another one. Not that I’m trying to drive Colton out of town, but Coleman at $4.9 million and Colton at $4 million on the third line might not work. Especially when you add in the need for a 3C.
Bobby McMann, LW/RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 29
Contract: $1.35 million cap hit, UFA in July
Going back to the Leafs, Bobby McMann could be on the move and is the exact type of speedy winger that suits Colorado’s system. At just $1.35 million, he would be an exceptional rental pick up to shore up the depth in the bottom six. Even if the Avs utilize most of their cap space on a higher-priced center like Kadri, you’d still have room for McMann to bolster that third line. He can even play in the top six in a pinch when needed.
The question is, do the Leafs see value in trading him rather than signing him? And if so, how much are they expecting to get for him? Colorado is short on assets, and a centerman remains the higher priority.
Michael McCarron, C/RW, Nashville Predators
Age: 30
Contract: $900,000 cap hit, UFA in July
Michael McCarron is currently the 3C on the Predators behind O’Reilly and Haula and he makes just $900,000 against the cap on an expiring deal.
If the Avs are looking for depth options in the bottom six, he would be a reasonable addition. It’s similar to what they had in Nico Sturm in 2022. Someone who can be a healthy scratch when everyone is healthy. But at the same time, you have no issue putting him in the lineup and playing him for nine, 10, or more minutes in a game.
McCarron has experience on the wing and at center.
Evander Kane, LW/RW, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 34
Contract: $5.125 million cap hit, UFA in July
This might be one of the more head-scratching rumors since the trade deadline speculation began several weeks ago. The Avs have reportedly shown interest in Evander Kane as a fallback option if they miss out on their other targets.
I’m just not sure why.
Putting aside all the dirty antics, Kane has had playoff success with the Edmonton Oilers. But he been a shell of that player this season in Vancouver. And at $5.125 million, he would still be an expensive addition even if Vancouver were to retain half of his salary.
Nicolas Deslauriers, LW, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 35
Contract: $1.75 million cap hit, UFA in July
How about Nicolas Deslauriers as a depth option? He’s not an everyday player anymore, but he’s a great locker-room guy, a physical force, and a good option as a 13th- or 14th-forward.
The Avs need depth. Even when they’re fully healthy, they still have a rookie, whether Gavin Brindley or Zakhar Bardakov, playing very few minutes. Adding someone like Deslaurier could shore up that depth if or when injuries strike.
Luke Schenn, RD, Winnipeg Jets
Age: 36
Contract: $2.75 million cap hit, UFA in July
Given the recent addition of Kulak, the Avs’ need for a defenseman who expects to play every night is long gone. At least for this season.
But Colorado still needs a solid No. 7 defenseman. They traded Ilya Solovyov earlier in the year and didn’t replace him. When they won the Stanley Cup in 2022, they had a veteran in Jack Johnson who was a good teammate and didn’t sulk as the No. 7 option. Eventually, an injury to Girard meant Johnson had to play every night. Having him as that security blanket proved crucial to the Stanley Cup run.
That brings me to Luke Schenn. He reminds me of Johnson from four years ago. He’s a 36-year-old veteran nearing the end of his career, and likely wouldn’t mind another crack at a third Stanley Cup championship. At $2.75 million, the Jets would probably need to retain 50% to make it work for Colorado.
Honorable Mentions
J.G. Pageau, C, New York Islanders — If the Islanders weren’t having as good a season as they’ve had, Jean-Gabriel Pageau would’ve been one of the top center targets on my list.
Vincent Trocheck, C, New York Rangers — Several insiders have said that the Avalanche have expressed interest in Vincent Trochek. But the Rangers centerman has also publicly stated that he prefers to stay East.
Tyler Myers, RD, Vancouver Canucks — There’s a deal on the table that would send Tyler Myers to Detroit, but he has expressed interest in staying in the West if he’s going to waive his no-trade clause. Would he be okay with being a No. 7 in Colorado until Brent Burns potentially retires at season’s end?
Warren Foegele, LW/RW, Los Angeles Kings — It’s been a tough year for Warren Foegele in L.A., but he has been a great depth piece in past playoff runs for the Kings and Oilers. At 29 years old, he’s still got a lot left in the tank. But the additional year on his contract at $3.5 million might make it a difficult move for Colorado this year.
Ryan Lomberg, LW/RW, Calgary Flames — If Colorado has the cap space to add a $2 million depth forward, then why not Ryan Lomberg? This would probably only make sense if a Kadri deal comes to fruition and the cap dollars are in line.
Previously On The List
Artemi Panarin (traded to the Los Angeles Kings)
Kiefer Sherwood (traded to the San Jose Sharks)
Carson Soucy (traded to the New York Islanders)
Brett Kulak (acquired by the Avalanche)
Logan Stanley (removed after Kulak addition)
Jamie Oleksiak (removed after Kulak addition)
Mario Ferraro (removed after Kulak addition)