Trade Buzz: Avalanche ‘deserve the help’ before Deadline, GM says

Welcome to the NHL Trade Buzz. There are three days remaining until the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline (Friday, 3 p.m. ET). Here's a look around the League at the latest deadline doings:

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are looking at all options to improve before the Deadline, general manager Chris MacFarland told reporters before a 4-2 win at the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

MacFarland stressed they are not solely looking to improve depth down the middle by acquiring a third-line center to play behind Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson, though that has reportedly been a point of emphasis.

“If something makes us better, whether it’s a winger, a center or another defenseman than we’ll certainly look at it over the next few days,” MacFarland said.

“We’ve got some cap space to play with and we’ll see if there is the right fit,” he added.

Colorado has made one trade, acquiring defenseman Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Samuel Girard and a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft on Feb. 24.

The Avalanche lead the League with 40 wins and 89 points (40-10-9).

“We’ve got a lot of guys that are in the primes of their careers here,” MacFarland said. “They put in the work on and off the ice all year round. The fact that they got off to such a great start put us in this position to be sitting where we are today. If we can help, I think they deserve the help.”

MacFarland said they’re also “hopeful’ forward Logan O'Connor could be available soon; he has not played this season while recovering from hip surgery on June 6.

Vancouver Canucks

Jake DeBrusk made it clear in an interview with The Province in Vancouver that he’s not a fan of playing on a team that is rebuilding and could be willing to waive his no-movement clause to play for a contender.

“Obviously, that (rebuild) is not something I would be OK with or accepting,” DeBrusk told the newspaper. “My game doesn’t fit that.”

DeBrusk is in the second of a seven-year, $38.5 million contract ($5.5 million average annual value) he signed with the Canucks on July 1, 2024.

The 29-year-old forward has 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 59 games this season. He had an NHL-high 28 goals and 48 points in 82 games last season.

DeBrusk has scored more than 20 goals four times in his career, including three times with the Boston Bruins, who he played for from 2017-24.

Vancouver (18-35-7) is last in the NHL and could be sellers this week with defenseman Tyler Myers already being scratched the past three games for roster management purposes, an indication a trade is imminent.

“I think a rebuild is hard for every player, but at the same point it’s a great opportunity for younger guys,” DeBrusk said. “This game humbles everybody, and it’s been a little bit more than humbling this year.”