The Colorado Avalanche have reportedly been in talks for a number of forwards that they could bring in before the trade deadline. In the last couple of days, two of the targets that they were heavily linked to have been taken off the board by Western Conference teams they may have to go through in the playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets. The prime targets the Avalanche missed out on are Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan.
There is no doubt that the Avalanche’s plan is still to add up front, but they will have to pivot and see what else is out there for them. So who is still available that would be a good fit for the team to make an impact at the deadline? Since the team recently signed Zach Parise, a second line center is the most likely target for Colorado in the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline.
Adam Henrique
Both Lindholm and Monahan fetched first round picks already this season, so it is a sellers market for those who have better centers to trade. The Anaheim Ducks must be licking their chops because Adam Henrique is not only still proving he is a strong top-six option, he is also very capable of playing center. Though the Avalanche are definitely disappointed that they lost out on both centermen that were just traded, Henrique is not only hot right now with five goals and 14 points in his last 12 games, he has a 53.4 faceoff percentage. Over the past three seasons, the 33-year-old has 56 goals and 113 points in 169 games. His two-way game would also come in handy for the Avalanche who have given up a bit too many goals this season.
Logan Couture
Logan Couture just returned from an injury that had kept him out the entire season. He is still taking the time to get back up to speed, but once he does, he is still a legitimate top-six center. Last season proved as much with 27 goals and 67 points in 82 games. He is on the older side and wouldn’t just be a rental, similar to the Ryan Johansen trade that brought him over at half his cap hit for the remainder of his deal.
The difference is Couture has had sustained success for longer and is coming off a strong year. There aren’t many rental options out there, and if the Avalanche are serious about adding a second line center, Couture will likely be looked at as a backup plan. Bringing in a 34-year-old at half of his $8 million AAV cap hit for three more seasons after this one is risky, but may work out in the short term.
Alex Wennberg
The Seattle Kraken are hanging around, but will likely fall out of contention in the coming weeks. This means they have to think about selling some of their pieces. One of the pieces that will start to really get more attention now that two centermen are off the board is Alex Wennberg. He is a UFA after the season and has been the Kraken’s second line center all season, even going back further than that. He isn’t a point-producing machine or as good at putting up points as either of the other two names above, but he is solid and can perform up to expectations consistently.
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In his three seasons in Seattle, Wennberg has averaged 18:23 of ice time. The Avalanche didn’t need J.T. Compher to excel offensively with the strength of the first line, wingers, and defensemen, and they wouldn’t need Wennberg to either. I don’t believe he should cost a first round pick, even with the lack of centermen available, so it is definitely worth the push.
