Snapshots: Avalanche, Karlsson, Green

While Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie has been involved in trade speculation for quite some time, it doesn’t appear as if they’re in any rush to move him.  In his latest 31 Thoughts podcast (audio link), Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that they’re only going to consider a ‘hockey deal’ for the 27-year-old which would take away the idea of a futures-based return.  He adds that Colorado could wind up being fairly quiet on the trade front as they want to get a better read on the young core that they currently have, even if it might result in them taking a step back and missing the playoffs in 2018-19.

Elsewhere around the league:

• While the Senators stated that they had offered a long-term extension to defenseman Erik Karlsson back on July 1st, the blueliner told Postmedia’s Michael Traikos that he hadn’t spoken to GM Pierre Dorion or owner Eugene Melnyk since November when the team requested his no-trade list. He wound up being flipped to San Jose earlier this month and while no extension has been agreed upon just yet, GM Doug Wilson stated that he’s “very comfortable with the situation”.  If they want to work out a max-term contract though, they will have to wait until after the trade deadline on February 25th.
• The good news didn’t last too long for Red Wings defenseman Mike Green. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press notes that the blueliner is dealing with fatigue issues that have resulted in the team shutting him down for the time being.  Head coach Jeff Blashill told reporters, including Dana Wakiji of the teams’ website (Twitter link), that the cause of the fatigue is a virus that has attacked his liver.  As a result, his availability for the start of the season is now in serious question.  GM Ken Holland indicated that four prospects will be pushing for what now appears to be two spots on the opening roster – Dennis Cholowski, Joe Hicketts, Filip Hronek, and Libor Sulak.