The Colorado Avalanche have not played a game since Feb. 1, but it seems like all anybody can talk about these days in the Avalanche.

I suppose that makes sense considering the team's position in the standings, its personnel, and the Cup or bust mentality. But when it comes to trade talk much of it is a bunch of hot air or is it?

Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux was busy making headlines himself this past week by taking home All-Star Game MVP honors and leading the Metro Division to another ASG win.

Now all eyes turn to the trade deadline and Giroux. Will he or won't he be traded away from the only franchise he's known for 15 seasons?

I think by now it's almost a certainty and plenty of teams will come calling. Giroux himself will have plenty of say in where he ends up and one of the teams high on his wish list would have to be Colorado.

And obviously, there seems to be mutual interest, but how could it even be possible considering Giroux's bloated cap hit and the 'Avs cap constraints?

Elliotte Friedman believes teams will be employing the power of threeway deals to make moves.. big moves. The lack of cap movement for the last couple of seasons has forced GM's to get even more creative and this trade deadline could be especially fun.

Friedman believes non-playoff teams like "Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit, New Jersey," are going to have the flexibility to help teams out.

He better be right because otherwise the 'Avs and Giroux are a pipedream.

KEY POINT: No. Trading Alex Newhook doesn't make sense for a rental.

If not Newhook then who goes? Would anybody have to go if another team is helping to facilitate a deal?

Adding a veteran of Giroux stature would improve an already lethal offense and create even more depth where Colorado has plenty, to begin with. Giroux, a right shot, could slot into a top-six role and give the 'Avs plenty of high-end options in the bottom-six. Depth, depth, and more depth.

Let me hear it. Is it Giroux of bust at the deadline for Colorado?

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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