With the Olympic break looming and the NHL trade deadline just about a month out, the Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a position most teams envy: firmly atop the standings and in control of their own destiny. At 36-9-9, the Avs are not just leading the Central Division-they’re the odds-on favorites for the Presidents’ Trophy and look every bit the part of a Stanley Cup contender.
They’ve built that dominance on a foundation of elite two-way play. Colorado ranks first in both goals for per game and goals against per game, which is the kind of statistical symmetry championship teams are built on.
Add in a league-best save percentage and a penalty kill that’s second to none, and you’ve got a team firing on all cylinders. The only real blemish?
A power play that ranks 31st in the league. But when you're steamrolling teams at even strength, that’s more of a curiosity than a crisis.
Cap Situation and Trade Flexibility
With $6.48 million in projected cap space on deadline day, all three retention slots open, and just four contracts shy of the 50-contract limit, Colorado has some room to maneuver. They’re buyers-no question about it-but the key here is that they don’t need to make a splash. This roster is built to win now, and any moves they make will be about fine-tuning rather than overhauling.
They’ve also got a deep drawer of draft picks to work with, particularly in the mid-to-late rounds. It’s more quantity than quality, but for a team in Colorado’s position, that’s just fine. They’re not looking for foundational pieces-they’re looking for specialists who can fill gaps and elevate the team’s already elite floor.
Prospects in Play
If the Avalanche decide to get aggressive, they do have a few intriguing prospects they could move without touching the NHL roster or disrupting the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. Two names stand out: defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev and goaltender Ilya Nabokov, both developing overseas in the KHL.
Gulyayev, a first-round pick in 2023, is a mobile blueliner with upside. Nabokov, taken early in the second round in 2024, has been lights out in Russia with a .920 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average over 123 KHL games.
He’s 22 years old and trending up-exactly the kind of asset that could headline a deal for a meaningful NHL contributor.
There’s also defenseman Sean Behrens and forward Nikita Prishchepov, both with AHL Colorado, who could be included in smaller deals. The Avalanche’s farm system isn’t deep-ranked 29th by preseason evaluations-but that’s the trade-off when you’re competing for Cups instead of collecting prospects. And with the way this team is playing, it’s hard to imagine them moving anyone from the active roster.
What They Need
Let’s be honest-this is nitpicking. But if Colorado wants to shore up for a deep playoff run, there are two areas worth addressing: defensive depth and a bottom-six center.
Defensive Depth: Right now, the Avs are carrying just six defensemen on the active roster. That’s cutting it close, especially with the grind of the postseason ahead.
While guys like Keaton Middleton, Jacob MacDonald, Ronald Attard, and Jack Ahcan have filled in when needed, none are ideal long-term solutions if injuries hit. The ideal target?
A versatile blueliner who can play both sides, but at minimum, they’ll want a left-shot defenseman. Names like Logan Stanley (Winnipeg), Matt Grzelcyk (Chicago), Mario Ferraro (San Jose), and Brett Kulak (Pittsburgh) all make sense as potential fits.
Each brings a different flavor-size, mobility, experience-but all would solidify the bottom pairing and provide insurance.
Bottom-Six Center: Up top, Colorado is in great shape down the middle. Nathan MacKinnon continues to be a force (and is holding his own at 51.1% in the faceoff circle), Brock Nelson is contributing offensively, and Jack Drury has been excellent on draws at 59.2%.
But the fourth-line center spot has been a weak link. Parker Kelly and Zakhar Bardakov have both seen time there, but with faceoff percentages of 32.1% and 43.4% respectively, that’s a liability in tight playoff games where puck possession is everything.
If Jonathan Toews is open to leaving Winnipeg for one last Cup chase, he’d be a home-run fit. He’s winning 61% of his faceoffs this season and brings championship pedigree. If not, more budget-friendly options like Jason Dickinson (49.7%) or Erik Haula (50.3%) could still provide a meaningful upgrade in the faceoff dot and bring some veteran savvy to the bottom six.
The Big Picture
The Avalanche don’t need to reinvent themselves at the deadline-they just need to reinforce. This is a team with elite goaltending, a lockdown defense led by Cale Makar, and a forward group that can outskate and outscore just about anyone.
The pieces are already in place. Now it’s about tightening the screws.
If Colorado wants to go all-in-and with only two more guaranteed years of Makar under contract, there’s a strong case to be made-they have the assets to make a move. But even if they play it conservative, a couple of smart additions around the edges could be all it takes to bring another Cup back to Denver.