The Colorado Avalanche and Joe Sakic fell on hard times in the last month or two. After the first couple of months, Colorado looked incredible. So, what happened? What happens next?
Colorado faced a lot of adversity from January until now. Can they bounce back? Does Colorado decide to buy or sell? Joe Sakic ponders what may be next. However, first, it is time to list some facts and figures.
Colorado Avalanche: Facts and figures
The Avalanche racked up an incredible amount of cap space to the tune of $44.7 million currently. Unfortunately, the slump of the last two months has made this a moot point. Going 1-6-3 in the last ten games including an eight-game losing streak in between was the fatal blow. One other piece of good news involves the fact that Colorado can pile up more draft picks. Joe Sakic and company have eight draft picks already (2 firsts and 2 thirds).
Colorado may end up with two top-ten picks in the first round. Also, Ottawa is poised to be in the top-three barring the lottery results. That is not a bad consolation for what has resulted in a precipitous drop in the standings. If Nathan MacKinnon and the top line cannot save this season, then what?
One scenario involves Joe Sakic selling what little he can. Let’s take a look at the possibilities.
What The Colorado Avalanche Could Sell?
There is a group of rentals that Colorado could try and unload. These players will not get the value of the top players. However, Joe Sakic may have markets for the following talent.
Colin Wilson — The winger gives teams a lot of what they are missing. He combines speed, versatility, and experience. However, one snag is the salary (pending UFA $3,937,500 cap hit). Colorado may have to retain a significant portion of salary to facilitate a trade. He’s also currently on the IR. Maybe Wilson fetches a third or fourth-round pick.
Gabriel Bourque — This rental may have zero or next to zero value. If someone takes a conditional pick, that would be a miracle.
Patrik Nemeth — Nemeth carries a tiny bit more value than Bourque but not much more. The defenseman is big and also can hit. If Sakic sees a late-round pick dangled, then he has to make that call.
Semyon Varlamov — Varlamov for the first two months of the season played like a Vezina caliber goalie. Then, the bottom fell out from injury and especially inconsistency. The 30-year-old goalie may get stuck in Colorado as teams get scared off from what they have seen with Varlamov. Semyon Varlamov fetching a mid-round pick or low-level prospect will not appeal to Joe Sakic. He may just stay like mentioned above. Arizona and maybe Toronto thinks about pulling the trigger and even that is a low chance.
Among the non-rentals…
Nikita Zadorov — Zadorov could conjure up some value if he is made available. The 24-year-old defenseman plays at a level that could entice some teams. Negotiations went poorly two summers ago and it appears Joe Sakic wants no part of them again. Fans like the player and management does not. It sadly is that simple. Sakic moving Zadorov for a middle-six forward would not surprise anyone. Montreal may be one team which could be a suitor here along with Edmonton, Buffalo, and Arizona.
A.J. Greer — Greer has not cracked the Avalanche on a full-time basis. Furthermore, Colorado views him not favorably in their future plans. Why not involve him in a deal for a player who needs a change of scenery. Washington and Florida fit that bill.
Tyson Barrie — Alas, this turns crazy here. Barrie still has one year left on his deal. His $5.5 million salary remains reasonable. Defensively, he improved quite a bit over the last couple seasons and maybe why Barrie will not be traded for now. As for next season, all bets may be off as he could be the odd man out in any retool. If Barrie gets traded, the Islanders and Devils may be in on his services along with the Edmonton Oilers.
Buying bad contracts?
Colorado and Joe Sakic going this route is a possibility as well. It will be intriguing to see if the Avalanche go this route as players like Patrick Marleau and Ryan Callahan could be possibilities. These are players great in the locker room but are declining production wise. Maybe Ryan Kesler could be had. Oh no, that goes too far more than likely. One gets the idea though. Acquiring mid-round draft picks to add to the cupboard would help.
Simply, Colorado could make a losing season turn into a winning future quickly.