Rumor: Colorado Trying To Pull Off Blockbuster Trade

The Colorado Avalanche are absolutely loaded on defense and their prospect cupboards are also stocked. With the likes of Cale Makar, Samuel Girard, Devon Toews, and Ryan Graves leading the way the team has the talent, but general manager Joe Sakic has also been savvy as hell to sign everyone to reasonable contracts. 

The Avs are close to taking the next step and if the team can make one more blockbuster move, they'll immediately turn from Cup contenders to Cup favorites.

According to sources close to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Knights and the Avalanche have held some preliminary trade discussions around goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. There's also been reports out of Colorado regarding how their defense is going to shape up, and trading Ian Cole could be on the agenda. 

As for Fleury, 'The Flower' would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Avs and give them a proven winner in net. Remind yourselves Michael Hutchinson was starting playoff games last season because of injuries and lack of depth. 

The Avalanche currently have under $2 million in cap space, however will have roughly $8 million of salary cap space closer to the trade deadline, so perhaps something could get done by then. While it's unlikely for teams within the same conference to make such an impactful trade, the Avalanche have some young talent that GM's are salivating over. The price would be extremely high for Sakic and the Avs.

If it's not Marc-Andre Fleury, look for the Avalanche to be monitoring Antti Raanta in Arizona as a potential rental option if the Coyotes are out of the race.

Photo credit: Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire