The Colorado Avalanche are one of the best team within the NHL presently. They’ve probably the most points within the league, and are five points ahead of the following closest team. Colorado is considered one of five teams with not less than 80 points. They usually are the one team within the NHL with greater than 85 points.
Suffice it to say, the Avalanche are a contender once more. The season is entering its stretch run, and Colorado looks as if they may win the President’s Trophy heading into the postseason. For now, though, numerous focus turns to the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline.
The Avalanche have made a trade already, sending Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This could possibly be the precursor to more moves over the course of the following several days, though. Colorado freed up $2.25 million within the take care of the Penguins.
Colorado will must be creative despite the brand new cap space. It gives them some flexibility, undoubtedly. Still, Colorado doesn’t have the picks or prospects another clubs need to work with. This makes general manager Chris MacFarland’s job difficult, but actually not inconceivable.
The Avalanche are running out of time to make their moves, though. With this in mind, listed here are the dream and nightmare scenarios for the Avalanche on the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
Avalanche must land third-line center before trade deadline
The Avalanche do not have many must fill on their roster. Colorado has some general areas of improvement statistically. However the actual makeup of its roster is greater than positive. In saying this, Colorado could stand so as to add a third-line center.
As of now, Jack Drury has filled the role for probably the most part. Drury got here over in the primary Mikko Rantanen trade last 12 months. And he has largely played a solid game. He is particularly strong on the defensive end of the ice. Nevertheless, his offense leaves something to be desired.
One area of improvement is in Colorado’s scoring depth. The Avalanche have three players with greater than 20 goals. Two of them — Brock Nelson and Nathan MacKinnon — have surpassed the 30-goal mark already. These two, alongside Martin Necas, account for 44% of Colorado’s goals this season.
The Avalanche have a quite top-heavy offense. It has hurt them in previous seasons. With the intention to avoid this happening again, they should add someone who can improve the depth behind their three top goal scorers.
On this dream scenario, the Avalanche herald a scoring center on the third line. A reunion with Charlie Coyle could make some sense, the truth is. He has 15 goals for the Columbus Blue Jackets this 12 months. He could possibly be a vital player to depend on within the postseason. And he likely would not need much time to transition, having spent the second half of last season in Denver.
Making a move simply to make one could possibly be costly
The Avalanche are in an interesting position. Yes, they might stand to enhance their scoring depth. But at the identical time, it’s already a bit higher than it was last season. Colorado has five players with not less than 15 goals, and 4 players with 50 or more points.
Further bolstering this depth is the dream scenario for the Avalanche. Nevertheless, making a move to easily make one is just not something MacFarland must do. If any team can afford to face pat this season, Colorado is near the highest of the list. They simply shouldn’t have many needs.
Colorado has been linked to some players reminiscent of Tyler Myers, Simon Benoit, and Evander Kane. Myers could possibly be traded to the Detroit Red Wings soon, and is a solid player. Nevertheless, these players feel like additions to make for the sake of doing something. Especially Myers and Benoit, on condition that Colorado recently acquired Brett Kulak from the Penguins.
Colorado doesn’t have numerous wiggle room, so any deal must be right for them. If they can not find that deal, they need to hold their cards and trust within the players they currently have for the stretch run.