The Colorado Avalanche aren’t exactly scrambling for help right now. Through 45 games, they’ve racked up 74 points with a 33-4-8 record - the best mark in the league.
This is a team firing on all cylinders. But even the best squads can use a little fine-tuning, and for Colorado, that could mean adding a depth forward to bolster their bottom six heading into the back half of the season.
Enter the New York Rangers, who sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with 20 wins and 46 points. It’s been a rough go in New York, and GM Chris Drury - a name that rings familiar in Colorado circles - could be looking to shake things up.
One potential trade chip? Forward Taylor Raddysh.
Raddysh, 27, has taken quite the NHL journey since being drafted 58th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2016. After a stint with the Bolts, he was dealt to Chicago in 2022 and now finds himself with the Rangers - his fourth team in the league.
While his scoring has been inconsistent, he did flash some real upside during the 2022-23 season with the Blackhawks, when he potted 20 goals. That kind of production might not be the norm for him, but it’s enough to raise eyebrows in a league where depth scoring can make all the difference come playoff time.
What makes Raddysh intriguing for Colorado isn’t just his scoring potential - it’s his contract and his physicality. He carries a manageable $1.5 million cap hit through next season, giving the Avalanche a low-risk window to see if he fits.
No need to rush into a long-term decision. If he clicks in a third- or fourth-line role, great.
If not, they can reassess down the road.
As for what it might take to get him? Colorado could offer a package centered around mid-round draft picks or a mid-tier prospect.
Names like Trent Miner, Isak Posch, or Matt Stienburg could be in the mix. Miner has the most NHL experience of the trio, while Stienburg has seen limited action and Posch is still waiting for his debut.
If the Rangers are looking for someone with a bit of NHL seasoning, Miner might be the most appealing piece. That said, Colorado has some goaltending depth in the pipeline, which could make parting with Miner a little easier to stomach.
So, where would Raddysh fit in Jared Bednar’s lineup?
That’s where things get interesting. Bednar is known for mixing and matching his lines, and Raddysh offers versatility.
At 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds, he brings a physical edge that the Avalanche could use. According to MoneyPuck, Colorado ranks 31st in the league in hits - not exactly the kind of stat you want heading into the grind of the postseason.
Raddysh could help address that.
He’s also shown flashes of power-play utility. During his 20-goal campaign in Chicago, seven of those tallies came with the man advantage.
With the Avs currently sitting 24th in power-play percentage at 16.9%, there’s room for experimentation. Could head coach Dave Hakstol find a role for him on the second unit?
It’s worth exploring.
The beauty of a move like this is its flexibility. Raddysh wouldn’t be expected to carry the offense - he’d be a complementary piece.
If he finds chemistry on the third line, great. If not, you try him on the fourth.
Maybe he earns time on the power play. Maybe he becomes a key penalty killer.
The point is, the Avalanche have options.
And that’s the key here. Colorado doesn’t need to make a splash.
They’re already a powerhouse. But if they’re going to make a move, adding a player like Raddysh - someone who brings size, experience, and a hint of scoring upside - makes a lot of sense.
It’s the kind of under-the-radar acquisition that can quietly pay big dividends come spring.