What happened: Jimmy Murphy said a bartender’s admiration for Nathan MacKinnon prompted him to consider Montreal as a potential destination. Colorado has given no indication that its superstar is available.
Why it matters: Murphy’s framework paired draft capital with Montreal players such as Kaiden Guhle, Noah Dobson, Juraj Slafkovsky or Cole Caufield. For Colorado, the hypothetical would amount to reshaping the roster around Cale Makar.
By the numbers: MacKinnon’s eight-year contract carries a $12.6 million annual cap hit through 2030-31.
What to watch: Cale Makar’s next contract is the tangible roster decision ahead for Colorado. Any change in MacKinnon’s status would have to come from the Avalanche.