Artemi Panarin’s Unbelievable Trade Destinations: Which Team Will Win the Ultimate Hockey Gamble?
If the Avalanche want Panarin, they have a fairly straightforward path to creating cap space: including Ross Colton in the deal. Colton is a middle-six winger with another year of term at $4 million AAV, and he has a 40-point season to his name. The 29-year-old has a 12-team no-trade list, but he’s from New Jersey, so there’s a decent chance New York isn’t on it.
Ross Colton could be one of the pieces coming back in a potential trade with the Avalanche. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
The bigger question is whether the Avalanche want to use their limited trade chips on Panarin. They could look to upgrade their third-line center position behind Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson. But if center prices are sky-high, as it looks like they might be, general manager Chris MacFarland might prefer keeping his center group as is and pursuing Panarin, which would have a trickle-down effect among the forward group and allow third-line center Jack Drury (Chris’ nephew) to play with better wings. Panarin would also likely give the Avalanche a boost on the power play, their only shortcoming as a team this season.
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