In the last two days, Avalanche GM Greg Sherman has made two trades. Yesterday Sherman took defenseman Matt Hunwick off Boston’s cap-strapped hands, while today he acquired forward Tomas Fleischmann. Neither are house-hold names, but both will help improve the depth of an injury-depleted lineup.
Hunwick came at the price prospect blueliner Colby Cohen. Hunwick is a nice offensive defenseman, but may not be a top-four guy. Cohen is a solid prospect that could eventually develop into a second-pairing D-man.
However, Fleischmann came at a lesser price (from Colorado’s point of view). Veteran Scott Hannan was dealt to Washington in exchange for the 26-year-old Czech native. With the acquisitions of Hunwick and Ryan O’Byrne (earlier in the year via Montreal), the Avs had enough depth that made Hannan expendable.
‘Flash’ showed his potential last year when he racked up 51 points in 69 games and was a key part to the Caps’ secondary scoring unit. This season was a different story for him, though. He became an occasional a healthy scratch, playing his way out of the lineup with 10 points in 23 games.
‘Flash’, who may benefit from a change of scenery, is expected to get an opportunity right away to play on the Avs’ top line in place of the injured Chris Stewart, who will miss 4-6 weeks with a fractured hand. Fleischmann is expected to be skating on the left wing next to Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk.
(Hannan should fit in with the Caps. His presence and experience may not be felt until April, but that’s when they need him the most. The 31-year-old has six points this season and has played in 73 playoff games throughout his career.)
So between the two deals, Sherman essentially gave up Cohen and Hannan for Hunwick and Fleischmann. In the end, it looks like they did pretty well if you ask me.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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