NHL Trade Deadline: Avalanche to "Swing For The Fences" Again?

When it comes to the trade market this season, the biggest splash has already gone down, when the Colorado Avalanche shocked the hockey world by trading superstar Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in the deal for Martin Necas.

But according to Adam Proteau in The Hockey News, with a number of needs they could still address, the Avs could yet take another big swing before the March 7th deadline hits.

(GM Chris) MacFarland could decide he needs to make significant moves and surprise people with more big deals...
MacFarland has shown he's willing and able to swing for the fences in trades. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for him to do so again.

Proteau notes that Colorado's chief division rivals are highly unlikely to be sitting on their hands as we approach the deadline, so neither should they. The Dallas Stars have never been shy about making a big add, and the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild are also said to be looking to strike by March 7th.

With just under $5 million in cap space to make a move, that could help net MacFarland a significant piece. They need some additional scoring, and depth at the back end of their defense corps.

But we can't ignore the elephant in the room, the one that goes by the name of Gabriel Landeskog. The Avs captain has been out for over 2 1/2 seasons now, and his potential return is still cloaked in mystery. Head coach Jared Bednar admits that Landeskog's status could have a huge impact on what they do or don't do at the deadline.

“That’ll be up to Gabe and our medical team when he or if he’s going to be able to come back,” Bednar said. “He’s working hard. He’s still trying to get better and get to a spot where he thinks he can play."

Landeskog's $7 million cap hit currently resides on LTIR. But if he were to come back before the end of the season...?

“I’m sure that does have an effect on our thinking going into the deadline and what adds that we could make, or that we would pursue."

It's all a very intriguing situation to follow as the deadline approaches in just over two weeks.