Player (Salary): My Take:

Gabriel Landeskog ($5.57m) The Avalanche are definitely sellers this year, sitting dead last in the league. I doubt that Joe Sakic is actively shopping his Captain around but if the price is there he might entertain it. Landeskog is the prototypical Bergevin-Therrien type of player. He has a good two way game, with speed and size. The price will be astronomical (you’re looking at Sergachev, Gallagher, multiple first rounds) but to think of adding a Landeskog to a top 6 that already includes Pacioretty, Radulov and Galchenyuk is mouth-watering.

Matt Duchene ($6.0m) As TSN’s Darren Dreger has reported, the Avalanche are shopping Matt Duchene and the Canadiens are in the sweepstakes. The price will be costly but a player like Duchene doesn’t become available very often (the last comes to mind is Tyler Seguin in 2013). If Bergevin and company are serious about going for the Cup this year, you would expect them to approach the Avalanche really hard about their two young guns. Having Galchenyuk and Duchene down the middle for years to come could completely change the dynamic of the Canadiens.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($6.0m) There have been talks early in the year about the availability of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers’ former first overall pick in 2014. RNH has dropped down the depth chart behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and it could be time for the Oilers to ship RNH for much needed defensive help. The cost will most likely involve Nathan Beaulieu and a first, but for a center that is still young and under contract, the price could be worth it.

Martin Hanzal ($3.1m) There were rumblings, as Elliotte Friedman had mentioned that the Habs and Coyotes were talking about a deal around pending UFA Martin Hanzal. The original asking price was Michael McCarron, a first round and a conditional draft pick. Hanzal will definitely bring size down the middle for the Habs, which they have been lacking for years. But he is often injury prone even for his 6’6 frame. The initial price might be too high, but I think a McCarron and draft pick could get it done.