Three NHL trades took place a day before the holiday freeze. Five defenders were dealt, one of whom is a notable former Avs defender. Speaking of defensemen, the Red Wings lost a crucial part of their D core to injury. There was an epic fight in that same game in Detroit. But you might be shocked to learn who was involved.

All this and more in this December 19 edition of Deen’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avalanche’s bottom six needs help. Last year’s “Roaring 20s” line of Logan O’Connor, Miles Wood and Ross Colton have all been split up. One of them is injured and was struggling before. The other is healthy but struggling on the third line. And the center? He no longer plays this position. In fact, he’s having a great season as a top-six winger.

What are some ways general manager Chris MacFarland can fix the bottom six? Read my article here – covering viable internal and external options to help recreate depth in a currently top-heavy team.

Watch the latest episode of my podcast, Rinkside with Aarif Deen presented by Mile High Sports. During Wednesday’s recording, I covered Mackenzie Blackwood’s first two starts with the Avalanche. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

Around the NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens traded defensemen to the Nashville Predators Wednesday. Alexandre Carrier, 28 years old, originally from Quebec, arrives in Montreal. The former Preds defender had an excellent rookie season in 2021-22. He was on my ballot for the All-Rookie team at the time. Going the other way, there was a former Avalanche defenseman – a player who, before being dealt, was expected to be a crucial part of the Avalanche’s future.

It’s safe to say that Colorado is very much on board with how this deal is going. I wonder if trading him will end up working for Montreal too.

Beat writer Marc Dupont also wrote a analytical article on Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovskyand more.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The second transaction that occurred Wednesday involved another defenseman. The Penguins bought a defenseman from St. Louis, who played for them for four seasons before joining the Blues in the offseason. The recent acquisition of Cam Fowler made him expendable and St. Louis sent him back to Pittsburgh for future considerations.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The third exchange was the most remarkable. The Devils weren’t involved, but our New Jersey editor James Nichols did a great job covering the deal, which involves (surprise!) the New York Rangers.

New York shipped Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken just two days after the 2019 No. 2 pick openly spoke about his disdain for the coaching staff after being scratched healthy in the Rangers’ last game. New York then lost 2-0 to the last-place Nashville Predators. General manager Chris Drury acquired two draft picks and a defenseman in the deal. Is he finished yet? It seems to me that the answer is no.

Detroit Hockey Now: THE The Red Wings beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-4 Wednesday but lost a crucial piece of his blue line in the process.

As for that fight at Little Caesars Arena? Read everything here. It was truly… epic. Patrick Kane and Derek Lalonde share this sentiment.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: Catch it The flyer defeat angle herecourtesy of our latest edition at the RHN Network, William James.

San Jose Hockey Now: Goalkeeper Vitek Vanecek is out from week to weekwhich makes it all the more likely that Alexandar Georgiev will face the Colorado Avalanche later tonight.