Avalanche Could Make 2 Big Money-Saving Moves At Center

The Colorado Avalanche may have the opportunity to make two moves involving centermen to free up cap space and possibly get better. One move requires the other to happen, but it doesn't matter what order they come in.

Pierre LeBrun reported that Jonathan Toews' camp is narrowing down the list to a handful of teams with the Winnipeg Jets and Avalanche being two of them. One or the other seems like the logical destination for Toews, especially if he's looking to win.

Seeing as Toews would likely fit in as the third line center on a contender at this point in his career, that means the Avalanche would have to do something with Charlie Coyle. There have already been rumors that Colorado may be looking to trade Coyle as his fit with the team is questioned and he's overpaid for a third line center.

Coyle's right fit is likely as a third line center on a contender or second line center on a non-contender, but his output wasn't great in Colorado. The veteran has one more year left on his deal at $5.25 million AAV with a no-move clause and a three-team no-trade clause. It wouldn't be that difficult to move him, even if the return isn't great. The big reason would be to free up the necessary cap space. Toews isn't likely to get over two years on a deal and his cap hit should be $2.5 million AAV at maximum due to his two years off.

It would be a very smart move that should only help the Avalanche if they can pull it off. Toews is a good player that could be an underrated third line center due to his defense alone. The Avalanche would remain very deep up the middle with Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Coyle/Toews, and Drury. Toews' next team should come down to Winnipeg or Colorado, but we may yet still be surprised.