Ranking the players most likely to be traded if the Avs become sellers

Joe Sakic said it Tuesday night: He’s been talking with fellow NHL general managers for “three, four weeks now” about potential trades to better his sputtering Colorado Avalanche hockey club. Off limits, however, are any of his top prospects and/or upcoming “high draft picks.”

There are 19 days until the trade deadline. Here are my thoughts on who is the most likely to be traded, should Sakic determine his team needs to be a seller:

Tyson Barrie – Will he be traded at the deadline, or over the summer? I think it’s just a question of when now. I’m certainly not on some “trade Tyson Barrie” bandwagon. He’s a tremendous guy, a credit to the organization and a top offensive defenseman in the league.

But he’s likely to go, for a couple reasons: 1, he’s a player still with term on his contract. He’s got one year left on his deal after this season is over, at a cap hit of $5.5 million. 2, Cale Makar, the sophomore phenom at UMass-Amherst, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 season, is coming. It’s not official yet, but he will leave UMass when their season is over and sign with the Avs. Whether he signs to play this season still, or this summer, will depend on the team’s playoff positioning.

Makar is a right-shot, offensive defenseman, a blue-chip prospect. Barrie is a right-shot offfensive defenseman, only older and a guy who will be UFA after next year.

It’s no secret the Avs need help at forward. They need a top-six forward. Maybe two. Barrie represents probably the best avenue to get one.

Nikita Zadorov – Personally, I think it would be a mistake to trade him, but if Sakic can get a proven forward for him, someone with a future still in the league, he might just be on the way out.

Zadorov’s contract is up after this year. He’s making $2.15 million. His last contract didn’t come easy. He held out for a while in training camp, remember? He’s been in Jared Bednar’s doghouse before, including this year, and Big Z wasn’t too thrilled at being a healthy scratch. He’s played better of late, though, and his ice time has been higher.

But he’s a guy who could probably bring something good in return, if the Avs don’t think he’s part of their long-term plan anymore. I think it’s going to be a 50-50 proposition whether he’s an Av next year or not, maybe 40-60. Who would replace him on D? Well, if Conor Timmins’ return from a concussion continues to go well, he’s the likely candidate.

Semyon Varlamov – He’s not playing well and he’s going to be an unrestricted free agent when the season is up. It seems like these are Varly’s final days with the Avs. If the Avs are not in realistic playoff contention by Feb. 25, I’m sure Sakic will try hard to get something for him from some team thinking he could be good backup insurance for the playoffs.

If he plays great in these next 19 days and the Avs are seriously in the playoff hunt, then I think he stays and the Avs hope for a great swan song. I think it’s unlikely he’d be re-signed beyond this year, but you never know with goaltending. It’s not like Philipp Grubauer has been the answer this year either. But he’s got two years left on his deal.

Colin Wilson – He’s 29 and in the final year of his contract, at a nearly $4 million cap hit. If the Avs are sellers at the deadline, no question Sakic will try to get something for him. I think a contending team might think he’s a decent pickup for a playoff run, but nobody should expect a whole lot in return.

Carl Soderberg – He’s had a very good season. He’s the second-line center of the team right now. But he’s also 33. He’s got a year left on his deal. Maybe he’s the perfect guy to deal to a contender? Problem is, if offense is what you need, why do you trade him? Unless the Avs just want to add more youth and/or picks. It’s something I’m sure Sakic will have to consider.

Matt Nieto – He’s got a year left on his deal after this one. I don’t think he’s had a good season, so his trade value likely is small. But if the Avs are sellers, I expect Sakic to try and move him, maybe as a throw-in to a bigger deal.

The same applies to Sven Andrighetto, whose contract is up this year.

Erik Johnson – He’s got four years left on his deal, at a $6 million cap hit. Plus, he’s got a no-trade, no-move clause. Sure, the Avs can ask him to waive it, but it would have to be on his terms where he goes. I don’t think he wants to go anywhere. If he did, he wouldn’t say it publicly. I don’t think the Avs should trade him, I don’t think the Avs will trade him. But you never know for sure in this biz.