Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov has not had a great year so far. His contract talks dragged out to the beginning of training camp and he has been a healthy scratch in three consecutive games. Accordingly, Adrian Dater of BSN Denver wonders if the time might be right to include him in trade discussions involving Matt Duchene although he adds that he has not heard that this is something the team is willing to do.
Colorado GM Joe Sakic has been insistent on a high-quality defensive prospect or established blueliner as part of any return for Duchene. Including someone like Zadorov might serve as an enticement for another team to part with that piece knowing they’ll also be acquiring a 22-year-old who was a first-round pick just four years ago. For something like that to work, it wouldn’t be surprising if teams asked the Avalanche to get Zadorov back in the lineup first but doing something like that would certainly help Sakic as he continues to seek the right return after a potential three-way deal with Nashville and Ottawa reportedly fell through recently.
More from the Central:
- Blues center Patrik Berglund has resumed skating with the team and is taking part in select drills, notes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He has yet to play this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in June but this is certainly a step in the right direction. The original timeline for his return to the lineup was December and it appears he’s at least on track to be able to return sometime close to that.
- Wild forward Landon Ferraro is nearing a return to the lineup following a hip injury, head coach Bruce Boudreau told Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. He was one of the recalls for Minnesota’s rash of injuries a couple of weeks ago until he wound up being injured himself. Considering their tight cap situation, it will be interesting to see if he is sent down as soon as he’s activated or if they’ll keep him around to carry 13 forwards on the active roster.