Avalanche Can Find Great Fit In Canadiens' Veteran Center

The Colorado Avalanche got a bit healthier before their previous game with the return of Artturi Lehkonen from the LTIR. Unfortunately, Valeri Nichushkin will be away from the team for the foreseeable future getting help. The Avalanche are a strong team, but what sunk them in the playoffs last season was lack of depth scoring. While they thought they addressed that in the offseason, there is still a need for it and one of their biggest concerns to address at the trade deadline is another forward.

The Montreal Canadiens will be selling this season and have some players that will be available for teams to call on. One veteran in particular that the Avalanche should have their sights on is Sean Monahan. He has done very well since being traded to the Canadiens, and boosts every line he is on. What makes him even more attractive to a team like Colorado is his versatility and play all over the ice. Monahan can play both center and the wing while also being able to produce offensively and play strong on the defensive side of the puck.

The Avalanche can never really have a full lineup as someone is usually out for one reason or another. Monahan is very cheap cap-wise for the value he provides and is not going to cost a first round pick as some think he is. Whether Ryan Johansen or Ross Colton need a break down the middle or there is a need for someone to play up and down the lineup on the wing, Monahan makes his line better. He has 11 goals and 31 points in 47 games with a 55.8 faceoff percentage and 18:25 of ice time. The Avalanche would greatly benefit from this kind of acquisition as they are already Stanley Cup contenders and don't need any holes.