One of the main themes at this year’s NHL trade deadline has been contenders overpaying for depth pieces.
The trend started with the Minnesota Wild sending a second-round pick for Michael McCarron. Then, the Golden Knights went nuts with Cole Smith, sending a third-rounder and a prospect.
These were depth pieces that should not have cost more than a late-round pick or an AHL-level player. Yet, the Wild and Golden Knights were willing to surrender useful pieces.
The Avalanche had actually managed to sidestep that trend by sending a fifth-rounder to the Nashville Predators for Nick Blankenburg.