Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported last Wednesday that the Colorado Avalanche were looking for forwards. He pointed out they’re going through a difficult stretch with five of their top nine out of the lineup.
They include team captain Gabriel Landeskog’s attempted comeback from knee surgeries that have sidelined him for over two years. Right winger Valeri Nichushkin is still serving his six-month suspension as part of Phase 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program but could return by mid-November.
Center Artturi Lehkonen was activated off injured reserve on Sunday, and left winger Miles Wood could return from a lingering upper-body injury by the end of this week. However, center Ross Colton is out with a broken foot for six to eight weeks.
Colorado Hockey Now’s Aarif Deen suggested Nick Robertson as a trade target. The 23-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs left winger has been in and out of the lineup this season. He attempted to force a trade last summer by refusing to sign a new contract but ultimately agreed to a one-year deal worth $875,000.
The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau included Robertson in his list of options as well as Michael Carcone of the Utah Hockey Club and New York Islanders center Brock Nelson.
Related: Three Potential Trade Targets For Slumping Avalanche Team In Need Of Depth
Salary cap limitations prevent the Avalanche from taking on Nelson’s $6-million cap hit without retaining salary or trading someone else. Robertson and Carcone ($775,000) are less talented than Nelson but more affordable. Whether they’re who the Avs have in mind remains to be seen.
Speaking of the Maple Leafs, they might not be done dealing after shipping Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks last week for Matt Benning and two draft picks.
On Saturday, Friedman reported the Leafs would face a roster crunch with sidelined players Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar soon to return to the lineup. He said they’ve let teams know that they want to do right by Benning by making him available in the trade market.
Acquiring Benning and his $1.25-million cap hit was necessary to move out Liljegren and his $3-million cap hit. The 30-year-old is a veteran defenseman with a right-hand shot and could be enticing for teams seeking cost-effective blueline depth.
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