Labanc gives Colorado a playmaker to play with Kadri and Burakovsky.

Colorado could alternatively offersheet him, but making a trade instead ensures that they can sign him for a lower AAV with term they are comfortable with.

San Jose are up against the cap so may be priced out of Labanc's next contract.

An offersheet above $4.25m would net San Jose a 1st + 3rd as compensation, but this solution works better for San Jose as they instead get:

- a young cost-effective center with top 6 upside who is already in the NHL. Jost could break out playing in more of a cycle game compared to Colorado's fast transition style, and gradually replace Thornton as the teams 2C. (drafted 2016 1st, #10).

- a recenty drafted forward with top 6 upside (drafted 2018 3rd, pick #78); and

- 2021 2nd

Jost probably holds about a 2nd + 3rd in value in isolation, so overall this trade would give San José the equivalent of 2 2nd's and 2 3rd's, which is more valuable than (or at least closely comparable to) a late 1st + 3rd.