With biggest names taken, where do Avs turn at trade deadline?
Where to turn now?
That’s the question facing the Avalanche as big names disappear from the NHL trade market. Centers Bo Horvat, Ryan O’reilly and Jonathan Toews are no longer available.
Other buzzy pending unrestricted free agents are surrounded by obstacles, from Sean Monahan’s ongoing injury to Adam Henrique’s new one.
So what are Colorado’s options? In the last 10 days before the trade deadline, recent developments call for a reset of 12 potential targets — mostly forwards.
Tier 1: Affordable centers
1. MAX DOMI, BLACKHAWKS
Cap hit: $ 3 million through 2022- 23
Who leads the tanking Blackhawks in points? Not Toews or Patrick Kane. Domi ( 17 goals, 29 assists, 0.81 PPG) is a journeyman who can play center or wing. He was a rental last year, too, traded from Columbus to Carolina. Then he signed a oneyear deal with Chicago, where he has produced at his highest level since the 28- goal 2018- 19 season with Montreal. Also watch for Chicago to move Sam Lafferty.
2. NICK BJUGSTAD, COYOTES
Cap hit: $ 900,000 through 2022- 23
Delectably cheap. He likely wouldn’t replace J. T. Compher in the 2C role, but he would add scoring to Colorado’s bottom six — a similar idea to the Matt Nieto acquisition. Eleven of Bjugstad’s 13 goals are at even strength. He and Alex Newhook could anchor the third and fourth lines.
3. BOONE JENNER, BLUE JACKETS
Cap hit: $ 3.75 million through 2025- 26
Columbus’ captain makes sense if the Avs want a center with term — and they have to start thinking about the future, knowing that Compher ($ 3.5 million) is a pending UFA playing himself toward a contract that might be bigger than Colorado is able to offer. Jenner has 17 goals, 15 assists in 46 games.
4. NICK BONINO, SHARKS
Cap hit: $ 2.05 million through 2022- 23
Cheap bottom- six center with 105 games of playoff experience and two Stanley Cups. Bonino’s name is etched in the history of the distinguished Sidney CrosbyAlex Ovechkin rivalry; he scored the overtime series- winning goal for Pittsburgh in Game 6 of the 2016 playoff matchup.
Tier 2: Intriguing but injured forwards
5. ADAM HENRIQUE, DUCKS
Cap hit: $ 5.825 million through 2023- 24
Just as he emerged as the next appealing center candidate with the perk of one more year on his
deal, Henrique sustained a lowerbody injury Tuesday and missed Anaheim’s next game. But if he gets healthy and Anaheim is open to retaining salary without demanding too much extra, he’s the most enticing player remaining.
6. SEAN MONAHAN, CANADIENS
Cap hit: $ 6.375 million through 2022- 23 ( LTIR)
Still hasn’t appeared in a game since December. Colorado is already too familiar with irksome injuries to mortgage the future on a rental who’s an uncertainty to play.
7. GUSTAV NYQUIST, BLUE JACKETS
Cap hit: $ 5.5 million through 2022- 23 ( IR)
The second name on this list from Columbus, an organization with ties to Avalanche general manager Chris Macfarland. The Blue Jackets have announced Nyquist ( shoulder) is out for the season, but he has told The Athletic — with awfully specific wording — that he hopes “to be back before the regular season is over.”
8. ANTHONY DUCLAIR, PANTHERS
Cap hit: $ 3 million through 2023- 24 ( LTIR)
Whether or not the Panthers decide this playoff race is worth the trouble, they might have to offload cap space soon. Duclair scored 31 goals last season and is almost back from a torn Achilles ( notably a risk for reinjury).
Tier 3: Other pending FAS
9. IVAN BARBASHEV, BLUES
Cap hit: $ 2.25 million through 2022- 23
Hasn’t gotten the same attention as O’reilly or Vladimir Tarasenko, but if the Blues are in full sell mode, Barbashev is an affordable two- way forward for a cap- cramped contender.
10. LARS ELLER, CAPITALS
Cap hit: $ 3.5 million through 2022- 23
The Caps ( 28- 25- 6) are stuck in a foggy playoff race that’s not showing any signs of clearing up. So they’re down to the wire on deciding if they want to get anything out of their mountain of UFAS. Eller isn’t producing much ( seven goals), but he could fill a bottom- six center hole in Denver. Wings like Garnet Hathaway, Conor Sheary and Marcus Johansson are also affordable.
11. JESSE PULJUJÄRVI, OILERS
Cap hit: $ 3 million through 2022- 23
The Oilers are trying to clear space, and they reportedly even considered placing Puljujärvi on waivers recently. Needless to say, the wing a project. But he has Mikko Rantanen’s endorsement.
12. LUKE SCHENN, CANUCKS
Cap hit: $ 850,000 through 2022- 23
A defenseman makes the cut. Everyone wants depth defensemen at the deadline, and a veteran on a small contract is especially attention- grabbing for an Avalanche blue line that might need to replace Erik Johnson.