Do Avs need to make big trade deadline move to win Cup?
KIZ >> OK, the NHL trade deadline looms. Nobody asked me, but I believe the Avs don’t need to do a thing to emerge from the Western Conference playoffs against what appears to be a field of decidedly undaunting foes. But there’s an arms race raging in the East. And I’m not sure the Avs have the muscle to wrestle away the Cup from Boston, Carolina, Toronto or Tampa Bay without making a significant deal for a top six forward. What say you?
DURANDO >> Or New York or New Jersey, for that matter. The Rangers are on the cusp of landing Patrick Kane, and the Devils made their own blockbuster trade for Timo Meier. We’re hurtling toward Leafs-lightning and Rangers-devils playoff matchups — in the first round. This is the most unbalanced the conferences have been in years, but I see that as all the more reason the Avs should feel motivated to go all-in. When you only have to deal with one juggernaut instead of three, might as well batten down the hatches for whichever team awaits at the finish line.
KIZ>> I’m antsy for Colorado to make a deal, because I’m all about that action. I wanted Ryan O’reilly, and he’s gone to Toronto. But I’m willing to sit back and listen to a voice of reason. That’s where you come in, my friend. So riddle me this: Is J.T. Compher really a legit No. 2 center for a legit Cup contender? And although I’ve waited patiently for the return of Gabe Landeskog, when will he be back in the lineup? And what are the chances our captain will be ready to play like the Landy we know and love during the playoffs?
DURANDO >> The team needs to reach a conclusion this week about whether Landeskog can return during the regular season, because Colorado’s entire deadline hinges on whether or not his $7 million cap hit counts toward the team’s cap. Currently it doesn’t, because he’s on long-term injury reserve. (The salary cap is moot during the playoffs, so if Landeskog is to remain out until then … well, suddenly the Avs are in business.) As impressive as Compher’s strides have been, his 0.70 point-per-game rate still doesn’t sniff Nazem Kadri’s 1.23 last season. But Compher has proven he’s at least serviceable with great wings around him. And the Avs have great wings, with or without Landeskog. More concerning than Compher to me is the domino effect of two youngsters — Alex Newhook and Ben Meyers — anchoring the bottom six. The topheavy rental center market has run dry, so a cheaper depth center is the reasonable option.
KIZ >> Hey, I’m glad Jack Johnson is back in the fold. Good dude. Solid pro. Unflappable in a limited role during the playoffs. But if that’s the biggest move the Avs are going to make before the trade deadline, I think the chances of this team repeating as champions hover around 10%. I’d like to see those odds, not to mention scoring depth and faceoff effectiveness, get a major boost. What do you think are the chances of my fondest wishes coming true at the deadline?
DURANDO>> This front office is unafraid to make a big splash when the cost makes sense, but it’s also notorious for its creativity. My guess: Joe Sakic and Chris Macfarland add one more defenseman and one forward, but not someone of the A-list caliber that would satisfy you. Think Artturi Lehkonen last year.