Avalanche Have 3 Trade Targets To Watch From Coyotes

The Colorado Avalanche have the cap space and need for some help at forward, especially their depth as they've lost a couple of players this season after trying to address the issue in the offseason. While already signing Zach Parise, that isn't enough for them to be satisfied before what they expect to be a deep playoff run.

The Avalanche are being discussed in the same conversation as the Arizona Coyotes as Elliotte Friedman says that Colorado's center search could take them through Arizona. He mentions Alex Kerfoot as someone they know and could bring back. He is having a good season and has already matched his point total in 56 games with the Coyotes that he had all last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs (36). Kerfoot played the first two years of his career in Colorado and put up 85 points in 157 games. He would be a good middle-six or third line addition for a Cup run.

Friedman also noted that the Avalanche could consider Nick Bjugstad. The large center has played on the second line of the Coyotes this season, but when getting traded over to the Edmonton Oilers last season, was a strong third line center. That could be the case for the Avalanche if he is moved. This time around, Bjugstad is under contract for an extra year, so the Avalanche would have to pay a little bit more. He has 12 goals and 30 points in 56 games and has a cap hit of $2.1 million AAV which is very affordable.

The final name mentioned by the insider was Michael Carcone, who was very hot earlier in the season and proved he can score. He is a bottom-sic player who has played fewer than 11:30 per game on average this season, but has 15 goals. He is on the cheapest deal that can be signed ($775,000) and is under contract through next season. Carcone would be the cheapest option, but unless he finds his scoring touch when traded, might turn out to be a nothing trade.