The Colorado Avalanche are sitting in a position of power, looking down at the rest of the league with the kind of swagger that usually precedes a parade. But if you peel back the layers of this roster, there is a hairline fracture that could shatter under the pressure of a seven-game series. While the noise around the league—and recent reports from insiders like the Denver Post’s Corey Masisak—suggests the Avs will “almost certainly” add a defenseman before the March 6 deadline, I’m here to tell you that’s the wrong rabbit hole to go down.
The real make-or-break decision for the front office isn’t on the blue line; it’s the void at third-line center. We know this team has elite talent at the top, but depth kills in the playoffs. If the Avs ignore the middle of the ice, they are gambling with their season.
Internal Solution vs. Market Overpayment: The Ross Colton Factor
The easiest path for Colorado is to do nothing. It saves assets, preserves cap space, and shows faith in the locker room. The Avalanche could simply stick with Ross Colton in the 3C role. Head Coach Jared Bednar recently praised Colton’s efforts in his debut in that spot, and there is no denying Colton’s motor and physical engagement.
However, “effort” and “championship pedigree depth” are two different things. Relying on Colton to shut down opposing top lines or generate secondary scoring when the MacKinnon line is being smothered is a massive ask. My personal insight? You don’t win Cups hoping a square peg fits in a round hole. Colton is a fantastic winger/utility forward, but anchoring the third line for a deep run requires a specialist.
3 Trade Targets on the Radar: Wennberg, Dickinson, and Coyle
If GM Chris MacFarland decides to shop, the names floated by Masisak are intriguing. Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks brings a defensive conscience, but the Sharks aren’t going to sell if they sniff the playoffs. Jason Dickinson (Blackhawks) offers that gritty, two-way style that playoff hockey demands.
Then there is the wildcard mentioned in recent reports: Charlie Coyle, linked to the Columbus Blue Jackets in this scenario. Coyle brings size and possession metrics that drive opponents crazy.
The problem? The cost. The Sharks, Blackhawks, and Blue Jackets know the Avs are desperate. If Colorado enters a bidding war, they risk overpaying. The Avs have already sacrificed significant future assets (draft picks and prospects) in recent years to keep this window open.
But here is the hard truth: You don’t hug prospects when you have Nathan MacKinnon in his prime. If the price is a second-round pick and a B-prospect for a center who solidifies the spine of your team, you make that trade 10 times out of 10. The defense is good enough to survive; the center depth is not.
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