Targeting the Colorado Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers are most likely going to be in the playoff race when the calendar turns from 2016 to 2017, and inevitably the talk will turn towards the Oilers making additions to their roster to help a push to the postseason. Many people have been discussing adding rental players to the team, and depending on the price that makes a lot of sense. If the Oilers have a chance to make the playoffs, they need to go for it.

I’m all for Peter Chiarelli going shopping and buying for the Oilers, but I also would like to see him get creative. Sure, adding a player like Radim Vrbata or Jarome Iginla would both help the team and make me happy, but there are other avenues too.

At this stage, the Oilers aren’t a Stanley Cup contender, so adding for now and the future might be the best course of action should the team stay in the race and Peter Chiarelli goes shopping.

One team the Oilers really need to look at? The Colorado Avalanche. Yes, the Avs have Iginla to move, but it’s very possible that other pieces could become available, pieces that can help both now and in the future. Colorado started off well, but they’ve completely fallen off the map as of late and their young core hasn’t lived up to expectations.

Matt Coller of ESPN.com wrote a piece (for ESPN Insiders) advocating for Colorado to strip the team down and build around star forward Nathan MacKinnon. One of the things he makes a case for in his piece is replacing Ryan O’Reilly, who was a star two-way forward for the club before his trade at the entry draft in 2015.

The two pieces Coller suggests moving? Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene. He also makes a case for moving MacKinnon, due to value, but I’d be stunned if that were to happen.

So, if Colorado were to go this route, shouldn’t the Oilers be interested? I would say so, especially if Colorado is targeting a two-way center as part of the package.

Matt Duchene:

Duchene may be a left shot, but he’s a highly skilled forward who would easily be in any team’s top six and who would likely be Edmonton’s third best forward on arrival behind only McDavid and Draisaitl. He’s been dangerous so far this season, scoring 12-10-22 in 26 contests. He’s just a hair below a point-per-game and he’s playing on a terrible team.

He’s a legit weapon on the powerplay, plays center, and can also shift to the wing if needed. He’s got an ability to put the puck in the net too, which could make him a nice fit for Connor McDavid on Edmonton’s top line.

Since 2012-13, Duchene has been a dynamic player, registering 43 (in 47 games), 70 (71 games), 55 (82 games) and 59 (76 games) points. He’d be a really good fit for Edmonton, adding proven offense, skill and speed to a lineup that quite frankly needs it.

Gabriel Landeskog:

Landeskog is a very good NHL player and is a proven leader, but I’m not sure his fit is quite as good as Duchene’s would be. He’s not as dynamic offensively, but he brings more size (6’1” and 210 pounds) and plays a more physical and abrasive style of hockey. He’s a typical Peter Chiarelli player.

Landeskog has struggled this season and has faced injury issues, having just returned from a lengthy stint out of the lineup. He has, to this point, dressed in only 20 games for the Avs and has registered 4-5-9. Decent numbers, but not quite the production you are looking for from a core piece.

Last season, in 75 games, Landeskog tallied 20-33-53 and in 2014-15 he registered totals of 23-36-59 in 82 games played. He’s a pretty decent offensive player and plays a strong overall game. I don’t think he has the dynamic edge that Duchene has, but he’s an extremely valuable piece regardless and could also be a nice fit on McDavid’s wing.

The Asking Price:

If Colorado really wants a two-way center to replace O’Reilly, you would have to think that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be of interest to them. There were rumblings over the summer that an RNH for Tyson Barrie trade could happen, which leads me to believe that Colorado likes the Nuge as a player. Another slow start likely hurts his value, but to me it also increases the chances he gets sent out.

Would Ryan Nugent-Hopkins alone get you Matt Duchene or Gabriel Landeskog? I guess it depends on how Colorado views their own assets, but I’d have to say that I’d be surprised if it was enough. The Oilers would likely have to add a draft choice or a prospect to make Colorado bite, or expand the deal to include other pieces on both ends.

Regardless, if Colorado is willing to tear things down and move a core piece or two, the Oilers should be making the phone call. A player like Matt Duchene or Gabriel Landeskog could help the Oilers big time this season and moving into the future. A move like that is a win-win for this hockey club in my mind.