Between now and the March 2 NHL trade deadline, the Avalanche could solidify themselves as comfortable contenders or remain in mild peril of missing the playoffs.
Which makes the following exercise more tenuous than expected, but nonetheless relevant. The second-line center position is still the root of Colorado’s roster holes. The Avs never replaced Nazem Kadri.
Will they at the deadline? Here’s a preliminary ranking of eight trade options who could help solve the 2C opening. The top five are centermen, but there’s more to it than that.
1. Bo Horvat
Cap hit: Vancouver Canucks, $5.