Avalanche Rumors: Prospect Standing Out as Trade Candidate

The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for what should be a busy 2024 NHL Trade Deadline for them. They are among the top teams in the sport, so they are going to be big buyers this season. Two specific things that they will be looking for are a second-line center and a 1B goaltender.

Due to the Avalanche's desire to strengthen their roster, they will need to part ways with notable assets to do that. As a result of this, in a recent article for The Athletic, Jesse Granger listed Oskar Olausson as the most likely Avalanche player who will be moved before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline passes if they want to add a second-line center.

Here is what Granger said on the matter: "If that piece is an upgrade at 2C, it might take 2021 first-round pick Oskar Olausson to make it happen. The Avalanche are already without their second- and third-round picks in 2024, and their second-round pick in 2025, so moving a prospect rather than another draft pick might make more sense."

Olausson, 21, is viewed as having good upside, which is why the Avalanche picked him in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. As a result of this, he surely could generate interest from sellers, as he has the tools to become a middle-six forward at the NHL level.

In 37 games this season with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL), he has 10 goals to go along with 18 points. He also has appeared in one game for the Avs this season, where he was held off the scoresheet.