Colorado trade bolsters draft options and Marlies depth

The Maple Leafs continued to reshape their roster Sunday, trading forward Shawn Matthias to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, as well as forward Colin Smith. The transaction sends a valued and well-liked veteran out of Toronto, but gives the Leafs another pick in an already-impressive amount of draft opportunities and adds an experienced pro to the Marlies as the franchise’s AHL team gears up in hope of a deep post-season run.

“Timing is everything, and there was a need for a certain type of player with a certain team,” Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello said on a conference call Sunday after finalizing the trade. “This gives us an opportunity to stay…