Insider links Avalanche to the desert for a center
Elliotte Friedman linked two Coyotes forwards that could help solve the Avalanche's need at Center.
Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Insider links Avalanche to the desert for a centerIn the latest 32 Thoughts blog from SportsNet's Elliotte Friedman, the Arizona Coyotes were brought up as a potential suitor in the search for a centerman.
"Colorado’s search for a centre may take the Avs through Arizona. They know Alex Kerfoot, and could also consider Nick Bjugstad. Another Coyote name to watch is Michael Carcone, who was red-hot earlier in the season. He’s got 15 goals," Friedman posted.
The 29-year-old Kerfoot should be familiar to fans having spent the first two years of his NHL career with the organization — scoring 34 goals and 85 points over 157 regular season games. He averaged just over 14 minutes of ice time during that span and has since seen a significant increase to 17:24 in his time with the Coyotes.
A reunion may not be an exact fit as he is primarily seeing time as the team's third-line left wing, a spot the Avalanche currently have locked down.
An interesting name to consider from this thought is the 31-year-old Bjugstad. The 2010 19th overall NHL Entry Draft selection has performed well this season. He has produced 12 goals and 30 points through 56 regular season games. He currently owns a team-high 460 faceoff wins at a 49.4% success rate.
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Bjugstad owns a modest $2.1 million cap hit over the next two seasons and could fit easily into the mix for the Avalanche's next two seasons. With nine players on the NHL roster set to become unrestricted free agents after the 2023-24 season, GM Chris MacFarland will have some decisions to make for who will return and a salary puzzle to figure out in that time.