The third and final piece of the January CHN Mailbag covers questions about the upcoming trade deadline. Anything from Zakhar Baradakov’s future (or role in the deadline), to adding more size on the blueline, a third-line center, wingers, and more.
Question from Btv
Aarif’s Response
I think Girard is fine defensively, but I don’t disagree with you. I’ve been pretty open about the idea of the Avs trading Samuel Girard for about a year now because they need more size on the back end.
People in the comments are going to do what they usually do and bash me for that take. They’ll say I’m a Girard hater and I’m trying to drive him out of town. That couldn’t be more wrong.
The reality is, Cale Makar and Devon Toews aren’t going anywhere. Josh Manson has a contract extension already in place and is having a great year. He’s also obviously not the guy to trade if you want to add size. Brent Burns, while not an untouchable in a traditional sense, is a veteran who signed here to win a Cup and is doing an admirable job on the second pair.
That leaves Sam Malinski and Girard. Does this front office want that to be the third pair heading into the playoffs? I doubt it. Not with heavy teams like Dallas, Minnesota, Utah, Vegas, etc., all playing in the Western Conference.
So those are the two guys you’re looking at moving if this defense is going to change. Girard makes more sense. Especially if you want to re-sign Malinski before July 1.
If you sign Malinski, or have intentions to do so, that means you’re either trading Girard, or you’re running the same six-man D core for the playoffs and just adding a No. 7 at the deadline.
Question from Jeffrey Anderson
Aarif’s Response
If I were the GM, I’d go all in on this season and do anything and everything to improve the bottom six, add size on the blueline, and leave no stone unturned to make this team as strong as possible heading into the playoffs.
Trade for a 3C, but add a winger on the third line, too. Alternatively, if you do the crazy Artemi Panarin thing that’s been rumored, that would automatically beef up the third line with one of Artturi Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin, or Landeskog.
I wouldn’t sit on my hands. I’d be fortunate for what this team has accomplished to date and double, triple, and quadruple down on this core group at the deadline.
Thing is, MacFarland is the GM. He’s never been shy about taking this approach. I don’t think he’s going to start now.
READ MORE: NHL Trade Deadline 2026: Avalanche Trade Board
Question from Jon
Aarif’s Response
I think both of those guys are fine, especially if they’re two of the five forwards fighting for a spot on the bottom six. They might end up being the two healthy scratches if Logan O’Connor actually plays this year. That’s not a bad set of forwards if that’s the case.
But this goes back to one of my other responses about the bottom six in general. I can’t imagine that MacFarland is only looking at a 3C. I’d bet he wants to add another winger to really bolster that part of the lineup.
Question from Matt Briggle
Aarif’s Response
I think it’s possible he’s used as a trade piece, but I don’t think it would be for a draft pick. He’d be part of a bigger trade for another roster player.
I also will say, Bardakov is growing on me more and more each day. I don’t think he’ll gain enough trust from the coaching staff to play big minutes this year, but it feels like he’s slowly working towards a more permanent role next season (if he’s not used as a trade chip at the deadline).
I say this because Bednar has been deploying him on the wing. You know the Avs want another centerman, likely a 3C that can push Jack Drury back down to 4C. The fact that they’re playing Bardakov on the wing and Ivan Ivan at center suggests they’re trying to see how effective Bardakov could be in that role, in case they need to use him there more permanently.
Ivan is in the placeholder spot. Bardakov is getting an opportunity to carve out a new role elsewhere in the lineup.
