Richard88
John 3:16
- Jun 29, 2019
- 19,176
- 20,805
With the deadline just 10 days away I thought it would be worth having a more focussed discussion thread about our trade targets. This thread is dedicated to forwards, and to start the discussion off below is my top 10 list of trade deadline forward targets.
To first preface this list first, given Jost's play the last few weeks; the lack of credible rumours linking the Avs to a 3C; and to a lesser extend the Newhook signing, it seems as if the Avs aren't going to be going after a 3C, at least not one who's main/only position is 3C.
Rather, as Eliotte Friedman said a few days it’s likelier to be a "Coleman type forward", and as such, the list of forwards below will be somewhat reflective of that. The list also leans more towards pending UFA's due the fact that players with term would impact the expansion draft.
It should be noted that this is a far harder list to rank than a Dman or backup list, as there are considerably more good options, so I readily admit that a case can easily be made to bump many of the players up on the list. Also note that although some players might be better than players ranked lower, I also factor in the likely price of acquisition and whether or not they can slot into 3C if needed when making this list. It's also worth noting that some of these targets might not be as available when the deadline comes around if their teams are in or near a playoff spot.
Top 10 Trade Deadline Targets: Forwards
1. Scott Laughton, LW/C, $2.3m x 1
2. Nick Foligno, LW/C, $5.5m x 1
3. Boone Jenner, LW/C, $3.75m x 2
4. Jaden Schwartz, LW/C, $5.35m x 1
One of the leagues best playmakers, who can drive play, and bring some tenacity on the forecheck. Where he fits into a healthy lineup now that our 3rd line is clicking is debatable, but he'd certainly be a useful insurance piece who can slot in anywhere in the lineup without looking out of place.
6. Radek Faksa, C, $3.25m x 5 
Big, physical, and defensively strong 3C who can skate, excel on the PK, and chip in 15+15 offensively. It would probably take a lot to entice Dallas to move him (probably one of our prized RHD prospects), but he would solve our 3C position for our entire cup run. The need for him isn't as great as it was before Jost's recent emergence as a viable 3C, but he'd be as close to a perfect 3C as you can get for this team, on a great contract no less. From Dallas' perspective, if they decide to protect Pavelski in the expansion draft they will need to choose between protecting Faksa or Dickinson, and that, combined with Dellandrea being on the way and likely being suitable for a 3C role, could perhaps make them amenable to a trade.
7. Miles Wood, LW, $2.75m x 2 
One of the fastest north-south skaters in the league, and also brings an element of physicality that the Avs could really use. He'd be a perfect fit on this Avs team. That said, the fact he doesn't play C and that we'd be paying for 2 playoff runs whilst possibly losing him in expansion counts against him somewhat. A Compher-Wood swap would be the dream, but it would likely take much more than that to acquire him.
8. Alex Iafallo, LW, $2.425m x 1
10. Calle Järnkrok, LW/C, $2m x 1
As consistent a 15+15 producer the last 6 seasons as you'll find, and can play all situations. He also has a very attractive contract as a 3rd liner earning just $2m for 2 playoff runs. That said, his playoff production has been quite underwhelming, with only 3 goals and 14 points in 58 playoff games nothing to write home about.
Honourable mentions: Kyle Palmieri LW/RW, Travis Zajac C, Eric Haula LW/C, Sam Bennett LW/C, Riley Nash C, Mattias Janmark LW, Luke Glendenning C/RW, and Carl Soderberg C.
To first preface this list first, given Jost's play the last few weeks; the lack of credible rumours linking the Avs to a 3C; and to a lesser extend the Newhook signing, it seems as if the Avs aren't going to be going after a 3C, at least not one who's main/only position is 3C.
Rather, as Eliotte Friedman said a few days it’s likelier to be a "Coleman type forward", and as such, the list of forwards below will be somewhat reflective of that. The list also leans more towards pending UFA's due the fact that players with term would impact the expansion draft.
It should be noted that this is a far harder list to rank than a Dman or backup list, as there are considerably more good options, so I readily admit that a case can easily be made to bump many of the players up on the list. Also note that although some players might be better than players ranked lower, I also factor in the likely price of acquisition and whether or not they can slot into 3C if needed when making this list. It's also worth noting that some of these targets might not be as available when the deadline comes around if their teams are in or near a playoff spot.
Top 10 Trade Deadline Targets: Forwards
1. Scott Laughton, LW/C, $2.3m x 1
Laughton brings a solid north-south two-way game, can play both LW and C, and brings a level of physicality that this team needs - as evidenced by the fact that he was 12th in hits/60 in last years playoffs. He is also capable of jumping up the lineup and not looking out of place, exemplified by the fact that he ranks 50th in points/60 this season among all forwards, which is effectively a low-end 2nd line level in terms of production. He also has some playoff pedigree, with 24 playoff games, including putting up 9 points in 15 games last year in the playoffs.
2. Nick Foligno, LW/C, $5.5m x 1
Hard working, experienced, and gritty forward who can slot in anywhere in the lineup and play all situations. Enough said. 4th on TSN's recent trade bait list, so it seems like he'll be available at the deadline, assuming that Columbus aren't in a playoff spot.
3. Boone Jenner, LW/C, $3.75m x 2
Jenner plays a heavy game and is best suited to LW in a middle 6 role, but has plenty of experience playing C as well. He could easily be 2nd on this list if not for the fact that he'd likely be more expensive to acquire given the extra term, though Avs wouldn't be getting full value as they would have to account for Jenner forcing them to expose Jost or Nichuskin.
4. Jaden Schwartz, LW/C, $5.35m x 1
This suggestion could easily look stupid if St. Louis end up not being sellers, because they'll very likely want to resign him. But if St. Louis fall back ahead of the deadline they might consider moving Schwartz. He has the speed and skill to be a perfect fit in Colorado's top 6 or top 9, along with proven playoff pedigree, having scored 20 points in 26 games in St. Louis' cup run, and having 54 points in 84 career playoff games.
5. Mikael Granlund, LW/C, $3.75m x 1
One of the leagues best playmakers, who can drive play, and bring some tenacity on the forecheck. Where he fits into a healthy lineup now that our 3rd line is clicking is debatable, but he'd certainly be a useful insurance piece who can slot in anywhere in the lineup without looking out of place.
Big, physical, and defensively strong 3C who can skate, excel on the PK, and chip in 15+15 offensively. It would probably take a lot to entice Dallas to move him (probably one of our prized RHD prospects), but he would solve our 3C position for our entire cup run. The need for him isn't as great as it was before Jost's recent emergence as a viable 3C, but he'd be as close to a perfect 3C as you can get for this team, on a great contract no less. From Dallas' perspective, if they decide to protect Pavelski in the expansion draft they will need to choose between protecting Faksa or Dickinson, and that, combined with Dellandrea being on the way and likely being suitable for a 3C role, could perhaps make them amenable to a trade.
One of the fastest north-south skaters in the league, and also brings an element of physicality that the Avs could really use. He'd be a perfect fit on this Avs team. That said, the fact he doesn't play C and that we'd be paying for 2 playoff runs whilst possibly losing him in expansion counts against him somewhat. A Compher-Wood swap would be the dream, but it would likely take much more than that to acquire him.
8. Alex Iafallo, LW, $2.425m x 1
A tenacious 2-way winger who hasn't looked out of place on LA's top line. He doesn't play C which isn't ideal, but would nonetheless be a solid addition to give the middle 6 an extra option.
9. Conor Garland, LW/RW, $775k x 1
20th in 5v5 points/60 among forwards with at last 400 mins TOI this season, and brings a level of agitation and tenacity far above what his small stature would suggest, as we experienced first hand last game. He'd be a great stylistic fit on the Avs as a solid two-way forward, and would give Bednar a nice option to mix up the 2nd line, but questions arise as to how acquiring him would impact the expansion draft given that it may force us to expose Jost or Nichuskin. He's also up for a big raise this offseason which one should be wary of, particularly as his agent would likely use he big deadline acquisition cost as a bargaining tool. It doesn't feel like a position Sakic would want to put himself in.
10. Calle Järnkrok, LW/C, $2m x 1
As consistent a 15+15 producer the last 6 seasons as you'll find, and can play all situations. He also has a very attractive contract as a 3rd liner earning just $2m for 2 playoff runs. That said, his playoff production has been quite underwhelming, with only 3 goals and 14 points in 58 playoff games nothing to write home about.
Honourable mentions: Kyle Palmieri LW/RW, Travis Zajac C, Eric Haula LW/C, Sam Bennett LW/C, Riley Nash C, Mattias Janmark LW, Luke Glendenning C/RW, and Carl Soderberg C.
