Avalanche Acquire Defenseman from Red Wings

The Colorado Avalanche added some defensive depth on Friday as general manager Joe Sakic struck a deal with Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings that sees Patrik Nemeth head to the Avs in exchange for a 2022 fourth-round pick.

The Avs had been working the phone for weeks trying to find bottom-pair defenseman and finally were able to strike a deal. The pending free-agent Nemeth is slated to make $3 million on the cap this season and the Red Wings will retain 50% of his remaining salary. So far in 39 games Nemeth has managed to score twice and tally six assists, while playing roughly 18 minutes a night.

Nemeth spent two seasons in Colorado so it should be an easy transition for him to pick up their schemes and find some chemistry with his teammates. The Avs are still looking for a top-9 forward and perhaps a veteran goaltender for some playoff insurance as last season third-stringer Michael Hutchinson was starting playoff games.

Should be an interesting few days in Colorado as Sakic tries to add more talent, meanwhile Yzerman and the Wings are in full sell mode and should be announcing a couple of more moves before 3pm eastern on Monday.