I dont think this team is that far off

Équipe: 2020-21 Avalanche du Colorado

Date de création initiale: 3 mars 2021

Publié: 3 mars 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Avs have very strong D (when healthy), good goaltending (assuming Francouz can return), and a good top six that will eventually play better than they currently are. The fourth line has also been good, except for the fact they haven't been able to cash in, and the PK is one of the best in the league. Additionally, O'Connor/Sherwood, etc. and Timmins/MacDonald, etc. provide really solid skater depth in the event of injuries. The biggest problems are (1) the third line just won't gel, and (2) they either need Francouz back very soon or a better backup.

Any one of the trades below (and only one) would be big for Colorado (IMO). Basically whoever accepts gets two NHL players at a combined cap hit of around $4.3M. Kaut is a former 1st rounder who needs a team with middle six roster space, and Compher should be a 30-40 point guy in a more favorable situation. Both come in return for an expiring contract and a third (price is negotiable though). Have heard mixed things about Getzlaf waiving, so caveat that one.

I didn't address goalie here because IDK what is up with Francouz. Everything below assumes a healthy roster.

Avs fans: logic is that Kaut is pretty buried here and thus expendable. He provides a nice sweetener for a team to take Compher though. If they can get a lottery ticket back in the form of a mid-round pick, I think that's fine. However, I know a lot of folks have big plans for Kaut, so I expect some won't like this.

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