The Colorado Avalanche in 2021 were where the New Jersey Devils hoped they’d be right now. A season from hell changed the dynamic, but we don’t think it changed the expectations. The Devils know they need to get a player who can win them a Stanley Cup. They built a team that doesn’t need a super duper star in goal, but that will be much more valuable than a first-round pick if they get to where they need to get to.
Darcy Kuemper was by far the best goalie available on the offseason market in 2021. When Colorado made the deal, it just made sense. They sent a very good package to the Coyotes, at least one on paper. Timmins was an offensive defenseman with upside. While he hadn’t figured it out at the NHL level yet, it’s hard to make headway with a team as good as the Avs.
The Avalanche also added a future first-round pick, which had conditions on it if it ended up in the top 10. That ended up being the 32nd-overall pick, as the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup on the back of Kuemper. Because of that win, the conditions were met on that final pick, which is this season’s third-round pick.
This feels like the type of return that would garner the Devils Juuse Saros. Would Barry Trotz be intrigued by a package that includes Kevin Bahl, the 2025 first-round pick, and a conditional third? It might get the deal done.