Colorado Avalanche
Why it makes sense: The Colorado Avalanche have a pretty promising future. Nathan MacKinnon has emerged as a legitimate Hart Trophy. For the first time in a while, there’s a lot of optimism with the Avalanche. Why not build on it by acquiring a two-time Norris Trophy winner like Karlsson?
Feasible trade package: Tyson Barrie makes sense for a variety of reasons. First, he’s arguably their most valuable player this side of MacKinnon. Barrie can produce on offense like very few defenseman can. He’s also a tad bit surplus in Colorado, especially with their young defensemen impressing.
Now, what do the Avalanche do about the first round pick? In case you forgot, Colorado already has one of Ottawa’s first round picks in either 2018 or 2019. Do they give it back to the Senators? Would this be the first time a first-round pick has been traded to a team and then traded back in less than a calendar year?
This trade doesn’t happen without a first-rounder, so the Avalanche would give up their 2018 first-round pick. 2019 if the Senators elect to keep their 2018 first-round pick. The Avalanche could offer any number of prospects, but one would think Cale Makar would be untouchable. Maybe Tyson Jost would make sense?
Why it wouldn’t happen: There’s no reason why this shouldn’t happen. The Avalanche have what it takes to get Karlsson, so they should be calling Ottawa. While it’s true Colorado could just wait a year, that might not be a luxury if he’s on the market because any team who trades for him probably wants an extension.