Dreger on Avalanche: 'willing to move just about anyone outside of Nathan MacKinnon.'

By now most fans that keep their ears to the ground during the National Hockey League offseason have heard rumors concerning Tyson Barrie and his future with the Colorado Avalanche. However there have also been rumblings that suggest the Avalanche are also looking to hit the eject button on forward Matt Duchene although those appeared to be less credible, until now.

During a segment on TSN's 1040 Vancouver, TSN insider Darren Dreger made it clear that the rumors are past the point of mere speculation.

“No, it’s not just noise," said Dreger as per Nichols on Hockey. I know that Joe Sakic has told NHL general managers that he’s willing to listen and willing to deal any of those big guys like Barrie, like Duchene. But it’s got to be part of something big. Something significant."

The rumors have been particularly loud as of late and that may be because of our proximity to the 2016 NHL Draft, a moment that Dreger believes will be the best opportunity for team like the Avalanche to make a move.

“And look, we’re getting close to the place where the freedom and flexibility to make those type of deals is probably best than it is at any point in the season, and that’s on the draft floor or right before the draft."

Based on Dreger's comments it sounds like the Avalanche are desperate to find a way to right the ship, and in fact there may only be one player on the entire Colorado roster who is untouchable.

“I had a couple of people during my Stanley Cup run here, guys I trust who are pretty deeply connected to the Avalanche, say that the sense is that they’re willing to move just about anyone outside of Nathan MacKinnon. I find that to be a bit hard to believe, but Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche are big-game hunting. They know that they’ve got to do something fairly significant to turn this organization around, and the only way you can do that is by being bold and making some moves.”

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