Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland met with traveling media in Los Angeles ahead of Colorado\u2019s 4-2 victory over the Kings. He answered questions about the Brett Kulak trade and was open about why the move was made.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no secret that Colorado is expected to be a buyer before Friday\u2019s 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\u2019t sound like he\u2019s going to operate any differently for the No. 1 team in the NHL.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there are a few guys on our team that we wouldn\u2019t entertain [trading], but we\u2019re gonna leave no stone unturned,\u201d MacFarland said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got some cap space to play with.\u201d<\/p>\n
With that, here is the third, and likely final, Avalanche Trade Board ahead of Friday\u2019s trade deadline. The players are listed starting with centers, wingers, and then defensemen. <\/p>\n
Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames<\/p>\n
Age: 35<\/p>\n
Contract: $7 million cap hit, UFA in 2029<\/p>\n
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\u2019 available cap space grew to just under $10 million. <\/p>\n
Without trading any players off the current roster, that alone is enough to both acquire Kadri and activate Logan O\u2019Connor off long-term injury reserve if he\u2019s healthy before the end of the season. <\/p>\n
Insiders have openly talked about the Avs\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
Things can change on a dime. But this would be a crazy turn of events given how the last three years have unfolded. We\u2019ll have to wait and see if MacFarland can pull this off, or if another Central Division team could pry him away from Calgary first. <\/p>\n
Ryan O\u2019Reilly, C, Nashville Predators<\/p>\n
Age: 34<\/p>\n
Contract: $4.5 million cap hit, UFA in 2027<\/p>\n
The longer the season has gone on, the more we\u2019ve heard that Ryan O\u2019Reilly isn\u2019t interested in leaving the Nashville Predators. After all, they\u2019re still very much in the thick of the playoff race and could even end up being Colorado\u2019s first-round opponent.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Reilly doesn\u2019t have trade protection, but the Preds have said they\u2019re going to treat the veteran as if he does. Unless that thought process changes, then O\u2019Reilly will get to choose if he wants to go. And right now he has no desire to leave Nashville.<\/p>\n
In the middle of a spectacular season, O\u2019Reilly 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\u2019Reilly has one year remaining after this season at a manageable $4.5 million.<\/p>\n
But again, it just doesn\u2019t seem likely to happen unless something drastically changes over the next 72 hours. I<\/p>\n
Erik Haula, C, Nashville Predators<\/p>\n
Age: 34<\/p>\n
Contract: $3.15 million cap hit, UFA in July<\/p>\n
What if the answer for the 3C hole is with the Nashville Predators, but what if it\u2019s not O\u2019Reilly?<\/p>\n
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\u2019s obviously not cut out to be in the top six with the Avs, but he would be a solid 3C.<\/p>\n
Though he isn\u2019t as big as the Avs might prefer for a 3C, he still plays with a lot of energy and isn\u2019t afraid to get in the dirty areas and take a hit. He likely wouldn\u2019t cost nearly as much as O\u2019Reilly, either.<\/p>\n
Scott Laughton, C, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/p>\n
Age: 31<\/p>\n
Contract: $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. The other being Nic Roy (more on him below).<\/p>\n
Scott Laughton was recently connected to the Avs as an option by Sportsnet\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
But the big question here is, does Laughton fill the Avs\u2019 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\u2019m just not sure if he\u2019s much of an upgrade. <\/p>\n
Nicolas Roy, C, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/p>\n
Age: 29<\/p>\n
Contract: $3 million cap hit, UFA in 2027<\/p>\n