The Trade
The Colorado Avalanche traded Tomas Tatar, who they gained through free agency, to the Seattle Kraken for a 2024 5th round pick. The team signed Tatar as a low-risk acquisition, expecting him to bring some offense to the third line. So far this season in 27 games, Tatar had just one goal and eight assists. The team relied on him to be the catalyst for the fresh lineup of players. Ross Colton and Miles Wood were usually his line mates but doing all of the scoring. In recent games, Tatar had been a healthy scratch to allow Kurtis MacDermid to come into the lineup.
TRADE: The #SeaKraken have acquired @TomasTatar90 from Colorado in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick.
Get to know the newest member of the squad → https://t.co/R1GslDHkzc pic.twitter.com/r5rkurhVdA
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 16, 2023
This will give the Colorado Eagles depth players a chance to play a larger role on the fourth line. Ben Meyers, who just played his second game this season for the Colorado Avalanche, scored a goal in the first game back. The Avalanche promoted Joel Kiviranta from a PTO with the Eagles to a two-way contract, and he has remained with the team since then. Riley Tufte is the Eagles’ team leader in points, has played a couple of stints with the Avalanche and is a fan favorite.
On the back end, Sam Malinski has been impressive in the seven games that he has played, scoring his first career goal on Wednesday night. Caleb Jones, a Denver native, has been with the NHL club for a while. He has shown his grit and speed on the ice on multiple occasions.
🚨Trade
To #SeaKraken
Tomas Tatar
33 y/o F
1 yr $1.5M
9P in 27 GPTo #GoAvsGo
'24 5thSEA adds $1.5M annual Cap Hit ($984K remainder of year)https://t.co/HT7l7ajPM1
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) December 16, 2023
The 2024 5th round pick has been reclaimed by the Avalanche. They initially traded away the pick on March 31, 2022, to the San Jose Sharks for Andrew Cogliano. The veteran became a key part in winning the 2022 Stanley Cup for the Avalanche and remains with the team.
Conclusion
In the long run, the trade benefits both the Avalanche and the Eagles. Until Artturi Lehkonen returns from injury, Eagles players will prove themselves and have time to get some NHL experience. Something that some of them desperately need. One roster sport may not seem like much, but it is hope. Hope for an AHL player. Something for them to fight even more for.