The Colorado Avalanche made a big trade at the NHL Trade Deadline, moving forwards Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galiardi and a 7th round pick in the upcoming draft to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Jamie McGinn, Mike Connelly and Michael Sgarbossa.
McGinn, 23, is the only NHL player coming back to Colorado. The Sharks' 2nd round selection in 2006, McGinn has 12 goals this season and should give Colorado some goalscoring in their bottom two lines. He will be a restricted free agent after this season.
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Connelly, 22, is a left winger currently playing with AHL Worchester. The undersized forward has 10 goals and 20 points through 40 games.
Sgarbossa, 19, is the top prospect coming back in this deal. The young center has 41 goals and 84 total points in just 57 games this year for OHL Sudbury -- just six points behind the league leader.
Avalanche GM Greg Sherman found a winger in McGinn with some more offensive upside than Winnik, and used the two players to acquire a couple of quality scoring prospects while still keeping the core of the team intact for a playoff run this season. The Sharks get a defensively responsible forward in Winnik and an energy forward in Galiardi. Both teams filled a need and should be happy with the return.
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Sharks blog Fear The Fin.