It is crazy to believe but the NHL Trade Deadline is about two and a half weeks away. Yet, March 1st will come before anyone knows it. When fantasy hockey and trading collide, there is bound to be rumors and speculation.
The Colorado Avalanche are currently 28 points out of a playoff spot. They have also played 52 games as of press time which means they do have games in hand. The Avalanche are nowhere near .500. They rank in the bottom five on the power play, have allowed over three goals a game, and just have been mediocre in every fantasy way too. When a team is almost double digit points clear of the next worst team, that is a bad sign. How much does Joe Sakic sell is the real question?
NHL Trade Deadline Targets – Colorado Avalanche
Matt Duchene – Center
Duchene would be an excellent trade asset but his fantasy value exceeds the acquisition value for many reasons. For one, the forward plays on a possession albatross yet has solid numbers. The fact that his relative numbers are 3-5% higher is significant. Second, that salary is prohibitive at a cap hit of $6 million for the next two plus years. Colorado may have to retain some salary to get maximum value. Even then, finding a partner may be daunting because their demands are through the roof.
Stubbornly, Sakic is going to want it all for his forward. That is always the tradition before the trade deadline. The added wrinkles as far as the draft and expansion draft do add windows to make trades, however. Duchene has chances of being moved before March 1st. Will it be to Montreal? Expect a suitor or two to try and get into this battle then watch the price come down. The right fit will mean better minutes and higher point totals.
Jarome Iginla – Winger
Iginla has had a nightmarish season to say the least. He has 14 points in 51 games, including seven goals. Iginla averages less than two shots per game now.
The thing is the forward is approaching 40. Every so often, Iginla turns back the clock but again these outbursts seem to never have any kind of consistency. The next game is often the same old same old. Playing in Colorado this year does not help but his shooting percentage is 6.9% and his on ice shooting percentage at 5 on 5 is just 4.9%!
On the bright side, the winger is in the final year of his current deal which makes trading easier. Defensively, Iginla just does not have the speed to play a prominent even strength role but how valuable could he be on a power play for a contender? That is the question. His trade probability is moderate. Some team will make a play for him.
Gabriel Landeskog — Winger
Landeskog started poorly then an injury made things worse. There were times when Landeskog looked like a passenger just waiting for the season to end.
Defensive red flags are several. If Landeskog is not as physical, he is not engaged most nights. Landeskog has had a lack of opportunities. The last three games have seen him register four points and 12 points in his last 18. This included an eight shout outburst. Slowly, things are improving.
Chances are low as Landeskog has looked better of late. His salary at $5.571 million cap hit is a tough one to take and has several years to go. A team would have to offer Colorado the moon or something close to get them to consider an offer.
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As the trade deadline approaches, more columns are coming including more suitors, players to watch out for, and even some out in left field rumors.