With the NHL Trade Deadline just 24 hours away, a lot of heads are turned towards the Colorado Avalanche, wondering just how active they will be. Though most of their team (aside from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen) could likely be had for the right price, four names continue to pop up most in the chatter: Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, Jarome Iginla and Francois Beauchemin.
The Avalanche could move all four of the aforementioned players before tomorrow. They also could move none. If given the chance, the would likely also consider moving several additional players. Just in case they are active, here’s a little preview of the “big four,” including what they would add to a team, what they might want in return and where could be a good fit.
Francois Beauchemin
GP: 52 G: 2 A: 11 P: 13 +/-: -8 PIM: 22
Possible destinations: Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs
Now, Beauchemin can dictate where he goes, as he has a no-movement clause. That being said, because of the same clause, he is the person the team should be looking to move the most.
Keeping Beauchemin would handcuff the Avalanche during this summer’s expansion draft, as the team would be forced to protect him (unless he agrees to waive the NMC). With the team likely to protect Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie and Nikita Zadorov, they would have to protect eight skaters and a goaltender instead of seven forwards, three defenseman and a goalie.
Now, even at 36, Beauchemin still has a lot to offer a contender. Though turnover-prone, he is adept at moving the puck, will hit, will block shots and provides a veteran presence (he does have a Stanley Cup ring). The Avalanche might have to retain some salary to get maximum value in return, but he could fetch a second or third-round pick.
Matt Duchene
GP: 55 G: 16 A: 20 P: 36 +/-: -19 PIM: 6
Possible destinations: Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders
I limited the possible destinations in this article to three, but let’s be clear, many more teams would be interested in adding Duchene. Players of his caliber, with term remaining on a team-friendly deal, just don’t become available very often.
In Duchene, a team would be getting a bonafide top-six player, who is capable of excelling at center or wing, and producing regardless if he is getting help or not. He has also emerged as an elite faceoff man, as his 62.3 winning percentage on draws is second in the league, trailing Antone Vermette by 0.1 points.
All these things considered, the price for Duchene is very, very high. The Avalanche are believed to be asking for at least a young defenseman capable of playing in their top-four immediately, two top prospects and a first-round pick for him. That price scared off the Ottawa Senators. The crazy thing is that that ask is completely reasonable for such a player. If he can’t get it, Sakic very well may just keep Duchene, and there’s nothing wrong with that either.
Jarome Iginla
GP: 60 G: 8 A: 10 P: 18 +/-: -18 PIM: 54
Possible destinations: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings
Iginla has let the world know that he would like to be traded to a contender. It is in the best interest of the Avalanche to get this done. That being said, he does have a no-trade clause, and could dictate where he goes.
A future Hall-of-Famer, Iginla would likely have to settle outside a true contender’s top-six. At this point, he is a powerplay specialist (half of his goals came on the man advantage). He does bring a veteran presence, physicality and the ever-important veteran leadership.
Return for Iginla all depends on how much salary the Avalanche are willing to eat. He’s not worth much to a contender if he costs $5.3 million against the cap. At half that amount, he could fetch a third-round pick.
Gabriel Landeskog
GP: 50 G: 13 A: 13 P: 26 +/-: -15 PIM: 48
Possible destinations: Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders
Of the four aforementioned players, Landeskog might be the least likely to be moved. The Avalanche like him as a player and a captain. In order to move him, Sakic needs to be blown away.
Landeskog is an atypical power forward, playing a brand of hockey that suits itself for the postseason. As such, contenders, especially those in need of scoring and known for physicality, would likely be interested.
The Bruins were the most heavily-rumored destination for Landeskog, but talks reportedly fell apart due to their unwillingness to part with Brandon Carlo. Don’t be all that surprised if those talks are revisited.
Like with Duchene, there is no pressing need for the Avalanche to move Landeskog; so Sakic need not waver on asking price. His price is thought to be almost identical to that of Duchene, maybe a tiny bit less. Still, you’d need to be willing to part with a young NHL defenseman, a prospect and a first-rounder just to get the conversation started.