The Colorado Avalanche are in the midst of preparation for the Stadium Series game against the Detroit Red Wings on February 27, not to mention the Alumni Game the night before. The team is also in a tight playoff race.
Not to be lost in that shuffle, the NHL Trade Deadline is shortly thereafter, on February 29. Historically, the Colorado Avalanche like to make a move on the trade deadline.
General manager Joe Sakic spoke to the media on February 18. He specifically talked about the organization’s unwillingness to trade away its future for “rental players” — no high draft picks or prospects are going to be thrown away on players who are near the end of their contracts.