December 18, 2023 | 6:00pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

AVALANCHE WEIGHING THE TRADE MARKET

Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland

The Colorado Avalanche freed up some extra salary cap space on Friday by moving winger Tomas Tatar and his $1.5 million cap hit to the Seattle Kraken. That move seems to be piqued the curiosity of other clubs around the NHL who are left wondering what the Avs may do next.

Though the Avalanche still have cap restraints – any major move would likely result in cap juggling or a roster player or two leaving the team – GM Chris MacFarland has been exploring the trade market and evaluating his options.

The Avs have been linked to Calgary Flames centre Elias Lindholm, whom they expressed interest in over the summer.

During Monday’s edition of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast,” Elliotte Friedman reiterated Colorado’s interest in Lindholm and also wondered what the Avs could do next.

“They made that Tomas Tatar trade and everybody was saying, ‘Okay, what’s the other shoe?’ I think they need to wait, because they’ve got some cap issues and roster issues, but there isn’t a contender in the league who isn’t trying to figure out what the Avalanche are up to,” Friedman said. “I know some people suspect Lindholm, but they’re not the only ones, but I know some people suspect that’s one of the guys that they’re eyeing.”

In addition to the Avs, the Boston Bruins are also a team that remains linked to Lindholm.

Friedman’s co-host Jeff Marek also believed a move could be on the horizon in Colorado.

“I think we’re all curious what that move is going to be,” said Marek. “I have a hard time believing that management group is going to be quiet or sit on their hands. I think they do something. I don’t know how big, but I think they do something significant to help their team.”

With Colorado “lurking,” as Friedman put it – “there’s no question that they are lurking out there,” he said – it’s unclear if a move is imminent or if a major trade is more likely to occur in the New Year.

Either way, it appears clear the Avalanche are looking to make a splash as they try to bring another championship to Denver.