On the Colorado Avalanche …
The Fourth Period: The Avs are expected to trade Jarome Iginla before the trade deadline, and he won’t be the only one.
Sources saying the Semyon Varlamov could be moved.
It would take a huge deal for the Avs to trade either Nathan MacKinnon or Tyson Barrie.
The Avs would like to improve their blueline. It’s not known if they would move out a young forward for a young defenseman – like the Ryan Johansen – Seth Jones deal.
John Mitchell and Fedor Tyutin are two others that could be moved before the deadline.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 690 talking about the Colorado Avalanche and if one of Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene, or Gabriel Landeskog could possibly be available in a trade.
“Well, MacKinnon I think never. I think he’s untouchable,” noted NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun during a Tuesday evening radio appearance on Montreal’s TSN 690, which is a sentiment that has been echoed by colleagues Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger in recent weeks. “We’ll see on the other two. You’re right – certainly some of the conversations I’ve had with other team executives around the league in the last couple of weeks is them waiting to see what Joe Sakic is going to do.”
Don’t think GM Joe Sakic knows which direction they’ll be going. At some point in the next month could see which direction they are leaning. They spend too much time in their own zone and don’t take advantage of the offensive players they have. Wonder if at some point they will see what they could get for Matt Duchene.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger was on TSN 690 talking about the Avalanche. There has been trade speculation regarding Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog. Would be shocked if they’d consider trading Nathan MacKinnon. On GM Joe Sakic
“He’s got to do whatever he can do to try and energize this group. Sometimes that comes via trade. He can’t do anything with the coach – at least I don’t think he would – given the coaching change that they went through prior to the start of the season.
“So it’s going to be interesting. But he’s dealing from a position of weakness because any team that would have interest in Duchene, Landeskog – any of the Colorado Avalanche – aren’t going to be looking to do Joe Sakic and the Avalanche any favors in that deal.”
