from Lyle Richardson at The Hockey News,

As the Colorado Avalanche struggle near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, they are becoming the subject of trade chatter among pundits and bloggers. The Avalanche are once again among the NHL’s worst defensive teams, fuelling speculation they could move one of their young forwards for blueline help.

In recent days center Ryan O’Reilly’s name has surfaced as a possible trade candidate. Former Denver Post columnist Adrian Dater claims the 23-year-old is being offered around for a defenseman, citing Florida, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal as pondering the possibility.

ESPN.com’s Craig Custance recently made mention of a rumored O’Reilly-for-Keith Yandle swap with the Arizona Coyotes. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman notes O’Reilly, who has a history of contentious contract negotiations with the Avs, will be eligible for free agency again in 2016.

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