{"id":415537,"date":"2026-01-19T06:17:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T06:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/415537\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T06:17:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T06:17:14","slug":"avalanche-mailbag-1-0-olympic-decisions-for-landeskog-toews-hakstols-pp-bednar-jack-adams-case-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/415537\/","title":{"rendered":"Avalanche Mailbag 1.0: Olympic Decisions for Landeskog, Toews, Hakstol’s PP, Bednar Jack Adams Case & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first part of the January CHN Mailbag, I answer questions about the injured players on Olympic rosters, Dave Hakstol\u2019s job security as assistant coach, Jared Bednar\u2019s case for the Jack Adams Award, and more.<\/p>\n

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions.<\/p>\n

Question from Brad Jacobs<\/p>\n

Question from Gabrielle<\/p>\n

Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been pretty public in the past about my dislike for how this award is often voted on. Bednar should already have one. It\u2019s disappointing that he doesn\u2019t. But it\u2019s even more strange that Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay hasn\u2019t gotten one yet either.<\/p>\n

This feels like the year one of those gets corrected. I think the Avs hitting 60+ wins will make Bednar an easy choice. But I do think Cooper might have a slight edge if the Lightning lead the East and are second in the league or close to the Avs.<\/p>\n

I believe one of Bednar or Cooper will win it this year. And it\u2019ll be a long time coming for either one.<\/p>\n

Question from Joe Cerwinske<\/p>\n

With only two teams in the entire NHL realistically out of playoff contention right now (Winnipeg and Vancouver), do you see this as being a much quieter trade deadline than usual?<\/p>\n

Aarif\u2019s Response<\/p>\n

Over the last few years, we\u2019ve seen a lot of excitement and moves ahead of the trade deadline. Sometimes more than the summers. I don\u2019t believe this year will be any different.<\/p>\n

In fact, I think the lack of big names left on the market for July 1 will force teams to be more creative and make trades at the deadline for more long-term guys. Something like the Josh Norris for Dylan Cozens swap we saw at last season\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n

But also, more sellers will appear as the season unfolds. The deadline isn\u2019t far off, but a lot can change between now and March 6. The Rangers just went public about being sellers, the Calgary Flames just traded Rasmus Andersson and have more pieces to sell off.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m also sure the St. Louis Blues are entering seller mode soon, and perhaps even the Seattle Kraken if they can\u2019t hold onto that playoff spot. And those are just in the West. In the East, Philadelphia has been in a rut as of late, while Columbus, Ottawa, and New Jersey might have to make some moves if they can\u2019t right the ship soon.<\/p>\n


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