Could Avalanche and Maple Leafs Be Trade Partners?

There’s talk that if the Colorado Avalanche’s injury situation doesn’t improve the team might look to add this season, specifically on the blue line. With long-term injuries to both Bowen Byram and Ryan Murray — who were expected to play some meaningful minutes — the Avs are relying on Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Samuel Girard to carry the load.

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Granted, those are three great defensemen to have access to. Still, the Avalanche might want to give them a little run support and while Peter Baugh of The Athletic focused on forwards the Avs might add before the deadline, JOsh Erickson of ProHockey Rumors writes that the Maple Leafs have a “logjam on defense and are looking to ship out a player to create some roster and salary cap flexibility.”

The two names that might be of interest to the Avs are Justin Holl and Travis Dermott. Both are potential trade pieces out of Toronto, especially Holl whose struggles have been well documented. He’s been labeled as “broken” and a fresh start might be the best thing for him.

Clearly, Dermott would be the piece Colorado would rather add, but the asking price will be higher because he’s less expensive, younger and much less prone to making defensive mistakes.

Avs Have Only So Much Salary Cap Space to Go Around

The salary cap will be an issue for the Avalanche who need to watch what they spend, especially with players on IR and potentially returning to the lineup should they avoid LTIR. And, if the Avs go after a defenseman, that most likely excludes them from chasing after one of the forwards mentioned in Baugh’s piece — he dropped names like Nashville’s Filip Forsberg, Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux, San Jose’s Tomas Hertl, or Dallas’ Joe Pavelski.

What is the bigger need for the Avalanche? Is it an extra defender? Or, is it some extra power at the forward position?

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