As expected, the Colorado Avalanche were active as Monday’s NHL trade deadline approached, making a pair of moves. First, the team announced that they had acquired forward Mikkel Boedker from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for veteran Alex Tanguay and prospects Conner Bleackley and defenseman Kyle Wood. They then followed that up by acquiring defenseman Eric Gelinas from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
The 26-year-old Boedker ranked third on the Coyotes in scoring, with 13 goals and 39 points in 62 games. Capable of playing on both wings, the left-handed shot adds even more speed to the Avs’ explosive lineup. He will be an unrestricted free agent following the season and carries a cap hit of $3.75 million.
“Obviously, it’s a fun situation to come to,” Boedker told the NHL Network. “There’s so much skill and there’s so much talent in that lineup, all the way through.”
In Tanguay, the Avalanche lose a veteran presence up front and a fan favorite. The 36-year-old forward has struggled this season, however, scoring only four goals and 22 points in 52 games. Tanguay will also be an unrestricted free agent following the season and carries a cap hit of $3.5 million.
Bleackley and Wood were selected by the Avalanche in the first (23rd overall) and third round (84th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, respectively. Neither signed an entry-level deal with the Avalanche yet. A defenseman, Wood plays for the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, where he has eight goals and 35 points in 40 games. A center, Bleackley plays for the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, where he has 13 goals and 41 points in 47 games. He is currently on the shelf with a broken kneecap.
Gelinas has suited up in 34 games for the Devils this season, scoring one goal and six points. The 24-year-old is a left-handed shot that brings size (6’4”, 216), offensive skill (he had 48 points over the two seasons prior to this year) and positive possession numbers (56.2 Corsi). He has one year remaining on his deal following this season, carrying a cap hit of $1,575,000.
The Avalanche also announced on Monday that goaltender Reto Berra has cleared waivers and has been reassigned to the San Antonio Rampage, where he had been playing on a conditioning assignment.
