The Colorado Avalanche have already swung a few trades this season. But what will they do with the salary cap space they still have?

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) tires to shoot against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) tries to stop him during the second period of an NHL hockey game at American Airlines Center, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer)

The addition of nine prospects into their ultra-thin pool has made a difference and raised the Avs up the countdown ever so slightly.

The Edmonton Oilers will face the Colorado Avalanche in this NHL matchup at Ball Arena on Thursday, January 16th.WATCH: Oilers vs Avalanche Live | Stream free on FuboThe Oilers are second in the Pacific Division with a 28-13-3 record.

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DENVER — Artturi Lehkonen had two goals and two assists, Cale Makar also scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 on Saturday. Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt each had a goal and two assists, and Josh Manson also had two assists for the Avalanche. Scott Wedgewood stopped 26 shots.

Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist as the Dallas Stars defeated the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Sunday night.

Cale Makar deflects not only shots but any mention of milestones related to him. It’s just the nature of the Colorado Avalanche’s dynamic defenseman.

With 101 career goals and 287 assists, Makar is averaging 1.07 points a game. Should he keep up that pace, it would rank up there with the likes of Bobby Orr (1.39) and Paul Coffey (1.09) for the highest marks over a career by a defenseman in NHL history.

But Colorado’s NHL team has long had a reputation for being a quiet bunch in the locker room, even when this group reached the top of the mountain in 2022. The 2024-25 edition started the season slow, bogged down by injuries and poor goaltending. It weighed on everyone. A generally quiet room seemed even more so at times.

Saturday's loss isn't a reason to sound the alarms, but there should be a little concern about the way things are trending.

The Rangers have won 4 of their last 5 games, while the Canadiens have taken 5 of their last 7. But it looks like New York is givin