Colorado Avalanche Trade Deadline Tracker - Four Weeks Out

The NHL trade deadline is four weeks from today. As the standings sit right now, it’s nearly impossible to pin down just how the Colorado Avalanche will handle things. They are a team that is battling for a playoff spot, but one that we know isn’t a true contender - yet.

The Avalanche are currently sitting 5th in the Central division and hold on to the second wildcard position. That puts Joe Sakic in the position of having to weight the progress of the re-build against the potential of a playoff berth this .season

With four weeks and 13 games to go, a lot can change before the February 26th deadline. It’s safe to assume all options are on the table. Between now and then, we are going to provide regular updates, keeping tabs on the latest Avalanche trade deadline news, and what the likelihood is that we see any significant moves.

Tyson Barrie

Barrie’s name has been out there recently - mostly thanks to Elliotte Friedman. He’s getting very close to a return to the lineup, and there is speculation that the Avs might want to use Barrie as a trade chip in order to fill holes elsewhere.

It’s very unlikely that Sakic is actively shopping the right-shot defender, but equally likely that teams are calling about his availability.

Rumors:

“So I know he’s looking. It wouldn’t surprise me if one of the people he’s looking at when he comes back is Tyson Barrie from Colorado. He seems like the kind of guy – the Islanders have a guy like him in Leddy, but I think that’s the kind of guy that he could be looking at. At this point in time obviously hasn’t pulled the trigger, but I don’t think it’s from lack of looking.” - Elliotte Friedman

Possible suitors: Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets

Asking price: A young scoring winger

Likelihood of moving: 40%

Mark Barberio

An unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, Mark Barberio is a player that can add depth to the blueline of a contender. He’s a left shot but has been playing on the right side a lot - that versatility would be appealing. A very strong possession player Barberio trails only Nikita Zadorov in terms of CF% among Avs defenders.

If the Avalanche become sellers, Barberio is definitely a guy that will go in order to make room for a younger defenseman to get regular playing time.

Possible suitors: Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins

Asking price: mid to late round draft pick

Likelihood of moving: 75%

Blake Comeau

The other key unrestricted free agent, Comeau is a guy that has had a decent comeback season. He already has more goals than all of last season and is on pace for his highest point total since 2011. More than that, Comeau would provide a contender with a veteran penalty killer that plays the style of game that coaches love in the playoffs.

Moving on from Comeau would help A.J. Greer get into the lineup on a regular basis

Possible suitors: New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights

Asking price: 2nd round pick

Likelihood of moving: 75%

Jonathan Bernier

Bernier is also a free agent, but unlike Comeau and Barberio, the Avs don’t really have a youngster ready to fill in for him. He has been outstanding since taking over for Varlamov in December and could provide some great insurance for a playoff-bound team. The problem is that we have no idea if Varlamov can stay healthy, and the Avs don’t want to be stuck with Andrew Hammond between the pipes.

There’s the potential for someone to make the Avs an offer they can’t refuse, but the odds are that Bernier will finish the season in Denver.

Possible suitors: Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils

Asking price: 3rd round pick

Likelihood of moving: 10%

Nail Yakupov

Yakupov was signed as a reclamation project this past summer as a low-risk addition to the lineup. He’s shown flashes of the talent that got him selected first overall in 2012, but for the most part, Yak has been inconsistent.

When he gets hot, he can add some depth scoring to a lineup. I doubt there are any offers for him, but if a team gets desperate after missing out on other options, someone might come calling just before the deadline.

Possible suitors: Columbus Blue Jackets

Asking price: mid to late round pick

Likelihood of moving: 10%