[caption id="attachment_62" align="alignleft" width="620" caption="Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ; from thescoutingreport.org"]
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I think that if the Avs can get Nugent-Hopkins with the #2 pick (which is looking more and more unlikely), General Manager Greg Sherman should listen to proposed trades for Paul Stastny. Before I explain why Colorado should explore this option, let me just say that this is not based on any rumors, I’m simply proposing an interesting path the Avalanche could take. Paul Stastny is a terrific and likeable player. It would be tough to see him go, but the NHL is first and foremost a business.
Stastny had a down year, but is still a valuable asset to any team, and could in turn, bring in a large return. Stastny is a young, all-star center who could really light it up with an elite winger. Plenty of teams are looking for an elite center like Stastny.
Columbus has been seeking a center for Rick Nash for what seems like an eternity. Derik Brassard is good, but won’t be ready for at least two years. The Blue Jackets need to cash in on a prime-aged Rick Nash before he gets older, and GM Scott Howson is growing more and more impatient.
Los Angeles has made it known they want top-level forwards to complement their young defense corps. Earlier in the season, rumors were swirling whether Stastny would be traded to Los Angeles. One particular rumor involved Stastny and TJ Galiardi for Jack Johnson and Jonathan Bernier. This seems a little too good to be true for the Avalanche, and it is. Jack Johnson is an elite defenseman and Jonathan Bernier is a talented young keeper. Los Angeles has plenty of defensemen and goalies, but needs forwards. Colorado has enough forwards to swing a trade, but has gaping holes on the blueline and in goal.
To turn this rumor into reality, Colorado would need to add a high pick (maybe #11) and another player.
A more realistic version of the Los Angeles trade would be Colorado trading Paul Stastny, the #11 overall pick in 2011, TJ Galiardi, Brandon Yip, and maybe Peter Mueller in return for Jack Johnson and Jonathan Bernier.
Greg Sherman proved in last season’s trade with St. Louis that he isn’t afraid to swing a blockbuster deal and he may just be at it again at the draft.
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