Avalanche Bolsters Team With Necas, Drury, And Draft Picks In Multi-Team Trade

The pursuit of the Stanley Cup has forced NHL general managers to make many trades this month. The Carolina Hurricanes made a big splash by sending young forward Martin Necas and veteran center Paul Stastny alongside a 1st-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Devon Toews. Colorado also landed center Evan Rodrigues from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2023 4th-round pick and sent a defenseman Josh Manson to the Vancouver Canucks for a 2024 2nd-round pick.

Avalanche bolster their lineup

The Avalanche are the defending Stanley Cup champions who have struggled to match their form from last season. They currently sit 5th in the Central Division and needed to make moves to improve their team ahead of the playoffs. Necas and Drury are both young and talented players who can provide Colorado with some much-needed depth up front. Necas is a skilled winger who can score goals and set up his teammates. Drury is a defensively responsible centerman who can win face-offs and kill penalties. Both players could play a key role in helping the Avalanche repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

In addition to Necas and Drury, the Avalanche also acquired a 1st-round pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. This pick could be used to select a player who can help the Avalanche in the years to come.

Hurricanes reshape their roster

The Hurricanes are in a good position in the Metropolitan Division but decided to shake up their roster by trading Necas and Stastny. Necas is a talented young player, but he has not been able to consistently produce at the NHL level. Stastny is a veteran player who can still contribute, but he is on the decline. By trading these two players, the Hurricanes have cleared some cap space and created an opportunity for some of their younger players to step up.

The Hurricanes received Toews in return for Necas and Stastny. Toews is a young defenseman who is coming off a breakout season. He is a good skater and puck-mover who can also contribute offensively. Toews could be a key part of the Hurricanes' defense for years to come.

Sabres continue rebuilding

The Sabres are in the midst of a rebuild, and they continued to sell off pieces of their team by trading Rodrigues to the Avalanche. Rodrigues is a skilled centerman who can score goals and set up his teammates. He is also a good skater and penalty killer. The Sabres received a 2023 4th-round pick in return for Rodrigues.

The Sabres are likely to continue to trade away players in the coming weeks and months as they continue to rebuild their team.

Canucks add depth to their defense

The Canucks acquired Manson from the Avalanche in exchange for a 2024 2nd-round pick. Manson is a physical defenseman who can block shots and deliver big hits. He is also a good skater and puck-mover. Manson could be a good addition to the Canucks' defense, which has struggled at times this season.

The Canucks are in a playoff race, and the addition of Manson could help them make a push for a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Conclusion

The Avalanche, Hurricanes, Sabres, and Canucks all made significant trades this week. These trades could have a major impact on the playoff race and the future of each team. It will be interesting to see how these teams perform in the second half of the season and beyond.