The rumors before the trade deadline continue to be dominated by the Colorado Avalanche. However, making a trade to acquire a young defenseman before the deadline will be difficult for the Avs to complete.
Usually, it could be done, but the expansion draft throws a wrench in too many deals this year.
For example if the Colorado Avalanche take on another defenseman without dealing Francois Beauchemin, then they suddenly have to protect Beauchemin, said defenseman they acquire — depending on how long he’s been in the league — Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie and Nikita Zadorov.