TRADE ALERT: Colorado and San Jose swap former first round picks
The Sharks had declared that they were on the market to move their 2018 first round pick, Ryan Merkley. The Avalanche on the other hand were looking to add cheap depth.
The Colorado Avalanche will receive Matthew Nieto and Ryan Merkley. The Sharks receive Martin Kaut and Jacob MacDonald.
Nieto will be getting a second trip in Denver. The depth forward had already been with the Avs from 2017 to 2020.
Ryan Merkley had asked for a change of scenery earlier in the season and the Sharks agreed. He only played in the AHL this year, but the puck-moving defenseman could definitely fit in well with the fast-paced Avalanche.
Jacob MacDonald has had a successful career so far at the AHL, but hasn't been able to keep it up in the NHL. Perhaps he will get a bigger role in San Jose where the team definitely needs help.
Martin Kaut was the Avs' 1st Round Pick in 2018 (16th), he's never found his niche in their lineup. He only managed 6 points in 47-career NHL games.
| POLL | ||
Who wins this trade? | ||
| Colorado | 24 | 31.6 % |
| San Jose | 7 | 9.2 % |
| No one | 45 | 59.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
