Last week, Colorado Avalanche Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Joe Sakic outlined what his team was looking to do at the trade deadline.
“We could use another puck-management forward and a solid D-man,” said Sakic.
He solved half the puzzle on Sunday, when he acquired forward Shawn Matthias from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Colin Smith and a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Matthias is big, physical, a decent skater and, most importantly, has solid possession numbers (his Corsi rating of 49.8 is better than anyone on the Avs roster).
Even after the acquisition, with a week remaining until the trade deadline, questions remain. What to do about the other half of the equation? Who could the team bring in to shore up their defense? Will the Avalanche be looking to add any other forwards?
The Avalanche very well may be satisfied with their forwards. If that is the case, they will likely turn their attention to their blueline, where upgrading their unit (specifically their third pairing) should be seen as a necessity if they are looking to make a run in the playoffs.
Keep in mind, Sakic did say that he is not willing to trade high draft picks or top prospects for rentals. This likely takes them out of the running for the big fish in the pool of players potentially on the move (i.e. Keith Yandle, Eric Staal, etc.). Also, the Avalanche may still add a forward if the deal makes sense.
Here are five players that the Avalanche should look into acquiring:
John Michael-Liles
Team: Carolina Hurricanes Pos: D Age: 35 Ht: 5’10” Wt: 185 Shoots: L GP: 60 G: 5 A: 9 P: 14 Contract status: Pending UFA ($3,875,000)
Perhaps the best way for the Avalanche to move forward is by reaching into their past.
Liles will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and while Sakic did say that he is not willing to trade high draft picks or top prospects for rentals, Liles might be had at a reasonable price. Not to mention, he isn’t just ANY rental player.
When the Colorado Avalanche named their 20th anniversary team last year, Liles was amongst the defensemen. In fact, he is the highest-scoring defenseman in Avalanche history. Sure, his numbers have dropped off some since he left the Mile High City, but he can still move the puck, has good possession numbers and is reliable in his own end.
His greatest value, however, could be in the mentoring of Chris Bigras. Though both are left-handed shots, Liles can play the right side. Bigras has been solid defensively in his rookie season, but his offensive game has proven a bit slow to develop. If Liles can help him round out his game, Bigras could be … well … the next John-Michael Liles.
Ron Hainsey and Ryan Murphy are also options on the Carolina blueline, and Colorado would not be at risk of losing either of them for nothing in the offseason. Still, Liles was a fan favorite during his time in Colorado, and dealing for him may make too much sense to pass up.
Cody Franson
Team: Buffalo Sabres Pos: D Age: 28 Ht: 6’5” Wt: 234 Shoots: R GP: 59 G: 4 A: 13 P: 17 Contract status: One year remaining ($3,325,000)
One of the many additions during the Sabres’ busy summer, Franson has not provided quite the offensive spark that the team has hoped. That being said, he does have talent and is responsible with the puck.
He is not as physical as you would like, considering his frame, but can be relied upon in his own end thanks to solid positioning. Being right-handed and having a year left on his deal (at a reasonable price) works in his favor going forward with the Avs, as both of which could put pressure on pending restricted free agent Tyson Barrie to get something done.
Dalton Prout
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets Pos: D Age: 25 Ht: 6’3” Wt: 198 Shoots: R GP: 42 G: 1 A: 3 P: 4 Contract status: Pending RFA ($1,075,000)
Sometimes you just need to add a little nasty to your lineup. That’s exactly what Prout would provide. Before you discount him due to his poor plus/minus (minus-9) consider that he plays in Columbus. He is young and would likely benefit from a fresh start.
Also, Prout is surprisingly responsible with the puck. He may not win you many games, but he’s unlikely to cost you many either. He is used to limited minutes, and his toughness could come in handy come playoff time, where he could fit nicely on the third pairing.
As a pending restricted free agent, he would remain under team control next season, and likely would not command that huge of a salary to stay, which could be important considering the raises Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie will be due.
Tom Gilbert
Team: Montreal Canadiens Pos: D Age: 33 Ht: 6’2” Wt: 202 Shoots: R GP: 45 G: 1 A: 1 P: 2 Contract Status: Pending UFA ($2,800,000)
A former Avalanche draft pick, Gilbert was shipped to the Edmonton Oilers before he ever played a game for the burgundy and blue. Perhaps he will finally get his chance.
Though he is having an awful offensive season for the surprisingly disappointing Canadiens, he scored 28 points just two seasons ago. He has also been plagued by injuries during the campaign, and is currently dealing with a lower-body injury (though he is not expected to be out long). Still, even if he doesn’t regain his offensive form, his penchant for blocking shots, shut-down ability and responsibility with the puck would make him a welcome addition to the Avalanche blueline.
He may just be a rental. He may cost more than Liles, but he brings enough to the table to make him worth considering if the price is right.
Jonathan Drouin
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning Pos: LW Age: 20 Ht: 5’11” Wt: 188 Shoots: L GP: 19 G: 2 A: 6 P: 8 Contract status: One year remaining ($3,194,166)
Though Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman hasn’t ruled out a reconciliation with Drouin, it’s probably in both party’s best interest to move on. Currently, the forward is suspended for refusing to play for Tampa’s AHL affiliate; his trade value certainly isn’t improving the longer he remains on the shelf.
While his character appears questionable, Drouin’s talent isn’t. He is a fast, smart playmaker who, when he did suit up for the Lightning, had better possession numbers than anyone on the Avalanche.
Trading for Drouin would also reunite him with his linemate in juniors: Nathan MacKinnon. The pair tore it up for the Halifax Mooseheads en route to a Memorial Cup victory. If they can recapture some of that chemistry, the results could be deadly for the opposition.
Yzerman will take the ice at Coors Field on Friday with the Detriot Red Wings alumni, perhaps he and Sakic can work something out before he leaves Colorado.
Bonus: Scott Gomez
Team: None Pos: C Age: 36 Ht: 5’11” Wt: 200 Shoots: L GP: 21 G: 1 A: 7 P: 8 Contract status: Unsigned
This move would be a signing, though it would require a trade to execute, as the Avalanche currently have the NHL maximum of 50 players signed to contacts. That being said, it might be worth moving somebody to sign Gomez.
Currently, Gomez is playing for the AHL’s Hershey Bears on a PTO; meaning, he is free to sign with any NHL team. He was not given many meaningful minutes during his brief time with the St. Louis Blues (both sides mutually agreed to terminate his contract) earlier this season, but still showed his playmaking prowess. He continues to pile up the apples in Hershey, with 22 in 15 games. If you don’t think that could translate into production at the NHL level, consider this: He had 27 assists in 58 games for the New Jersey Devils just last season.
Gomez is responsible enough defensively to play a bottom-six role but still has enough offensive ability to contribute if a top-six center goes down, making him the ideal extra forward. Not to mention ,he is the proud owner of two Stanley Cup rings, and that experience would probably be worth the prorated league minimum salary it would take to sign him.