Avаlаncһe Swіng Mаjor Trаde, Acquіre Veterаn Defenѕemаn From New York Rаngerѕ

The biggest piece of the trade is the 27-year-old Lindgren, who will be a UFA at the end of this season, and who is earning $4.5 million this season -- although the Rangers are retaining half of Lindgren's salary to make the deal feasible for Colorado.  And the acquisition of Vesey -- another pending UFA who has just four goals and six points in 33 games -- is a throw-in who can help a little bit in terms of depth at forward.

Lindgren isn't a major point-producer, although he's already set a new career high in points this season, with 19 points in 54 games.  Lindgren is regarded as a solid shot-blocker, physical presence and an above-average penalty-killer -- he led the Rangers in short-handed time on ice, at an average of 2:43 per game -- and he's going to shore up Colorado's defense corps.

In fact, while Lindgren may start his time as an Avalanche on the third defense pairing, if there are more health issues on the blueline, Lindgren can step up into the second pairing, as he's averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game with the Rangers this year.

The Avalanche still have approximately $3.28-million in salary cap space, so more moves may still be coming -- particularly, at forward. But with Saturday's trade, Avs GM Chris MacFarland has assembled a strong group of defensemen who are well-balanced and very deep.

To do that, MacFarland had to part ways with a veteran in de Haan who isn't a difference-maker, as well as Parssinen, who has now been traded twice this season and who is at best a spare part. Thus, this is a big win for the Avs, who are going to be trouble for any playoff team this spring.

Colorado didn't wait until the March 7 trade deadline to make a major move, and MacFarland has come away with a stronger squad that is going to be tougher to play against. We'll see what other moves the Avalanche have up their sleeves, but this deal feels like a gret move for the Avs.