Shocker in Denver

On Monday afternoon, the Colorado Avalanche held a press conference and the EHE learned of one of the biggest trades in league history. 

At noon today the Avalanche announced they would be holding a press conference at 1 pm pacific, the hockey world scrambled trying to find an inside scoop. Both the Rangers and Avalanche remained tight lipped. While trades of this magnitude are often speculated for weeks in the making, there was not a single murmur of this from either organization. 

Kirklan Lycar came to the podium and offered this “The Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers have come to agreement on a trade. We will be sending John Tavares, Miles Wood and a fifth-round draft choice to the New York Rangers in exchange for prospects Jack Hughes, Jack Dugan, Alex Newhook as well roster players Zemgus Girgensons and Brett Kulak.” 

John Tavares rumours have often swirled out of the mile-high city since the summer of the organization’s first Stanley Cup, this deal however seemed to appear out of mid-air. 

The deal sent shockwaves through the EHE, and for the Avalanche losers of 5 of their last 6 the sharks seem to be circling the waters “I’ve already had GMs reach out to me asking if we are rebuilding, asking about other players. What I can say to our fans is that we are not rebuilding, we saw an opportunity to strengthen our organization and we took it.” It is no secret to Avalanche fans that the Avs have spent a ton in terms of prospect currency and before the trade today had by far the worst prospect system in the EHE. “We’ve tried to strengthen our farm team, and I feel we have. Now it’s time to add some high-end prospects we felt.” 

High end is a good way to describe the trio of prospects the Avalanche acquired, in Jack Hughes they get a player with star potential, he possesses elite skating, hockey sense and skill. Hughes currently is off to a slow start in the NHL (the fake EHE for those wondering) and time will tell if he can reach that star potential, the skill level is certainly there though. With Dugan they get a skilled power forward who says he models his game after Jamie Benn and he has made a point of it since being drafted, adding nearly 10 pounds to his 6-foot-2 frame. Despite his physical growth, his skating has not missed a beat, and his playmaking ability and puck skills continue to stand out. Plus, his aggressive play allows him to make good use of his size. Putting it all together, Dugan currently leads the NCAA in points with 41 in 23 games. Lastly, Alex Newhook, another skilled forward who is currently in his freshman year with Boston College where he currently sits at just under a point a game. Newhook is a fantastic skater, one scout had this to say Newhook’s footwork, agility and heel-to-heel skating are high, high-end. He can skate circles around the opposition if he wants to.”

Lycar would finish the presser with having this to say “John was our captain, our franchise leader in games played, goals, assists and points, but most importantly a Stanley Cup champion. He embodied what it meant to be a member of this franchise.”