The Colorado Avalanche may already be getting the kind of return they wanted from an offseason deal with Nashville.
Colorado brought in forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux from the Predators in exchange for Jack Drury, and the early signs have been encouraging. Svechkov has produced one goal and two assists, while L'Heureux picked up an assist the other night against the Calgary Flames.
L'Heureux has only appeared in two games this season after missing time at the start of the year, with his outings coming against the Winnipeg Jets and the Flames. Both he and Svechkov are 23 years old, which only adds to the appeal of the move for Colorado.
Drury, meanwhile, was not giving the Avalanche much and appeared to be occupying a spot in the bottom six. That is why general manager Joe Sakic’s decision to bring in two 23-year-old forwards who can also kill penalties has worked out well for the Avalanche so far.
The trade was also clearly aimed at reshaping a bottom six that fell short in last year’s postseason. Colorado wanted forwards who could bring offense, handle penalty-killing duties, and fit a north-south style of play.
If Svechkov and L'Heureux keep building on what they have shown and reach their potential, this deal could end up being a strong one for Colorado. Sakic went after players he believed could better fit the role, and both forwards have the kind of energy and work ethic that should fit right in.
They are the type of players who go shift by shift and leave it all out there. In Nashville, both were trying to earn their place on the roster and were not being used in the right way.
Now, with head coach Jared Bednar able to put them in positions that play to their strengths, the opportunity is there for both young forwards to make their case in Colorado. If they keep trending this way, it should not take long for them to secure their spots.
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The move fit the message Bednar has been sending early: no one on the defense is locked into anything if the play is not there. Juulsens insertion came in a 7-3 win over the Flames, and while the Avalanche clearly like Malinskis long-term profile, his early struggles have opened the door to more competition than he has faced since establishing himself. For a team trying to settle its defensive mix, that is a reminder that recent performance can matter more than what happened last spring. [Read more 🡒]
Former Avalanche Forward Suddenly Has A Shot To Return At Ball Arena
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For Colorado fans, Woods name still carries a memorable playoff imprint after his overtime winner in Game 1 of the 2024 second-round series against Dallas. Now theres at least a chance he surfaces in Denver again, this time in a different sweater and in a different role than the one Avalanche supporters remember, with his Toronto debut still hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Reunion Night Comes With One Intriguing Lineup Twist
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Blankenburg is the more interesting name to watch because Toronto may need him to step in after an injury to Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Wood is also back with the big club after a recent AHL recall, though he is not expected to play, which leaves one small lineup wrinkle still worth monitoring before puck drop. [Read more 🡒]