LATEST | Former fourth overall pick hitting the trade block: Setting things up for a massive deadline trade

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Felip Gosselin
February 11, 2024 (8:30 PM)

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With a core made from some of the NHL's very best players, the Colorado Avalanche will once again be a menace when comes playoff hockey. The franchise based out of Denver already added a Stanley Cup in 2021 and their latest additions strongly suggests that their goals haven't changed.

READY TO PART WAYS WITH HIGHER VALUED ASSETS?

Facing a similar dilemma to what they had last year, the Avalanche are currently a second line centerman short from being the team to beat. With Elias Lindholm now off the board (Thanks to Patrik Allvin 💪🏼), the Avs' GM Joe Sakic will have to get creative and it appears he might be using a very bold strategy as we get closer to the deadline.

Sakic recently announced that Devon Toews had been locked up for 7 years and with Samuel Girard already inked to a long term deal, the Avs have been discussing the idea of trading away the 2019 fourth overall pick Bowen Byram.

Since making the jump to professional hockey, Bryam's had to deal with a variety of health issues. However, it looks like he's finally gotten a hold of that and his plays has been tremendous every opportunity he's had to show it. The scouting reports were extremely promising when he was first scouted in his draft year:

An exceptionally gifted defenceman who knows his strengths and plays by them. He possesses elite skating ability and is at his best when playing high energy, up-tempo hockey. He handles the puck well and is able to keep control of it under pressure. He makes calculated decisions that consistently shift momentum in his team's favor. His creativity in the offensive zone speaks to his confidence in his ability to be a game-changer.

Currently playing in Cale Makar's shadow, he's definitely the type of player that would benefit from getting an opportunity in another city.