Avalanche are silently targeting a top super star for trade

Elliotte Friedman stirred trade discussion curiosity during the latest episode of 32 Thoughts by speculating that the Colorado Avalanche may be planning a huge deal. Rumors are circulating that the Avs are interested in Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames, and he’s wondering if the Avs would make a move.

On Friday, the Avalanche made a significant move by dealing Tomas Tatar to the Seattle Kraken, freeing up a roster spot as well as some cap space. This deal has sparked conjecture about the team’s next move, with many eyes focused on the potential of pursuing Lindholm.

Friedman offered the following:

“The other team really looking around: Colorado. They made that Tomas Tatar trade, and everybody is saying, ‘OK, what’s the other shoe?’ And 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. I know some people suspect Lindholm. They’re not the only ones, but I know some people suspect that that’s one of the guys that they’re eyeing.”

He went on to say that Lindholm is one of the men they’re considering. “Again, I don’t know what’s going to happen, how much is going to happen before the freeze.”

How Would Elias Lindholm Fit on the Avalanche?

Throughout this season, the Avalanche’s pursuit of a second-line center has been a recurring focus. While Ryan Johansen has been making efforts, Lindholm has emerged as a highly desirable prospect for this role. He represents an upgrade, bringing a potent offensive presence while being contracted at a reasonable salary of $4,850,000 until the season’s end. Lindholm’s current performance with 20 points in 31 games for the Flames, along with his 64-point achievement last season, indicates a significant improvement compared to Johansen’s statistics over the previous two seasons.

Amidst indications that the Flames are likely heading toward a major restructuring and Lindholm might not fit into that plan, there were discussions during the summer about his potential contract extension. However, these talks have ceased, leading to a general belief that he will now be traded.

Despite Lindholm becoming available, the Avalanche confront challenges due to limitations in their roster and salary cap. The imminent roster freeze from December 19 to December 28 further complicates any major moves before this period. Moreover, if the Avalanche do decide to make a move, it’s anticipated that they will keep it under wraps. They are not known for openly discussing their roster strategies and plans.