We were promised a strong trade market by NHL insiders this summer. So far, general managers have not disappointed.

In the past 10 days, names like Brady Tkachuk, Bowen Byram, William Eklund, Jordan Kyrou and Simon Nemec have been dealt, with returns including top 10 and even top 5 draft picks. It’s an unheard-of level of trade activity in NHL circles, with it becoming clear that teams, at least at the moment, value younger, proven NHL players over the randomness at the top of the draft.

The thing is, it’s not expected to slow down given how poor this free agent class is. Alex Tuch was the top player set to hit the open market, but he was a part of a sign and trade to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, weakening an already weak free agent crop.

Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche have already been busy, mostly clearing cap space over the past 10 days. By sending Valeri Nichushkin to Columbus on Thursday, he’s got some assets and cap space to work with now. Here are some players that could be of interest.

Trade targets

Defenseman Mason Lohrei (7 goals, 26 points in 73 games)

At 25 and 6-foot-5, Lohrei possesses a lot of tools that general managers covet, which is why he wouldn’t come cheap. There have been rumblings that the Boston Bruins shopped him at the deadline and are open to moving him if the right deal comes along. Signed for one more year at $3.2 million.

Defenseman Tyler Kleven (3 goals, 18 points in 70 games)

With Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot in front of him on the depth chart in Ottawa, Kleven is stuck in a third pair role. Teams don’t exactly give away young, cost-controlled defensemen, but he’d fit the mold of what the Avalanche are looking for.

Defenseman Alexander Nikishin (11 goals, 33 points in 81 games)

Acquisition cost may be too much for the Avalanche, even after picking up some draft assets from Columbus, but everyone knows Sakic will look everywhere to improve his team. Another giant left-handed defenseman, but unlike the previous two, Nikishin needs a new contract. If a smart organization like the Carolina Hurricanes is debating between paying or taking the player, should that make other organizations question whether trading a large package for Nikishin is the right move?

Defenseman Morgan Rielly (11 goals, 36 points in 78 games)

The veteran defenseman has reportedly given the Leafs four West teams he’d agree to go to in a trade. It’s unknown if the Avalanche are on that list, but it doesn’t sound like the cost would be too prohibitive. His cap hit of $7.5 million for the next four years would make a move like this difficult, but he’d be a more proven option for the blueline.

Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (6 goals, 17 points in 77 games)

After giving up a lot for Byram and with Alex Vlasic already on the left side, Kaiser gets pushed down the depth chart a bit more. He’s a solid young defenseman at just 23 and fits how the Avalanche like to play.

Free agent class

Defenseman Brett Kulak (1 goal, 12 points in 83 games)

Why go out and look too far when the answer might be right in front of you? Kulak was a nice fit on the Avalanche, so they already know it works. The question really is cost. This could be the last big contract Kulak gets in the NHL but now armed with a little under $11 million in cap space, the Avalanche can get it done if they want to.

Defenseman Brent Burns (12 goals, 35 points in 82 games)

If Burns wanted to come back on another low-salary, high-incentive deal, it wouldn’t be hard for the Avalanche to fit him on the team. It’s unknown whether Burns plans on playing another season in the NHL, though.

Defenseman Mario Ferraro (7 goals, 23 points in 82 games)

The Avalanche have long coveted Cale Makar’s former NCAA teammate, but Ferraro’s NHL career has stalled out as he hasn’t shown much puck skill at the NHL level. It doesn’t appear as if he’ll be returning to the San Jose Sharks.

Defenseman Mike Reilly (1 goal, 9 points in 42 games)

The 32-year-old hasn’t been a regular on anyone’s defense in a few years, but has proven to be a valuable depth option for teams. Given Colorado’s current cap situation, could be a decent, cheap option for them.

Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (1 goal, 13 points in 68 games)

Another big, strong defenseman who now has some good playoff experience under his belt. Not someone you want to pay too much money because there’s just not a lot of offense there.

Forward Oliver Bjorkstrand (12 goals, 32 points in 80 games)

What’s this? A forward? The Avalanche have 12 forwards that are eligible for waiver, and with Gavin Brindley and T.J. Hughes in the AHL, they may not need another one, but if Nichushkin is dealt, adding a proven NHL winger wouldn’t be a bad idea. Bjorkstrand has a history with Jared Bednar and could be a candidate for a cheaper, prove-it type of contract after a subpar tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Winger Michael Bunting (14 goals, 33 points in 74 games)

If the acquisition of Zachary L’Heureux is any indication, maybe the Avalanche want to get a little tougher to play against. Bunting is a more proven commodity at the age of 30. Has a history of spending a lot of time in the penalty box, although he was more disciplined this past season.

What I’m hearing

• Word was that Jack Drury was asking for around $3.5 million with some term from the Avalanche. That was too much for them to stomach with someone who plays on the fourth line. Chris MacFarland obviously has an idea what it will cost to re-sign him in Nashville, but it would seem to be a better opportunity for Drury, who will play a bit further up the lineup. Bednar trusted Drury a lot and he’ll have to allow the young Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux to develop this upcoming season if the Avalanche have any chance of winning the deal.
• The Nichushkin trade was not a surprise in the least. Both sides were ready for a clean break.

What I’m seeing

• The Bowen Byram/Casey Mittelstadt swap looked even worse given what the Buffalo Sabres picked up for Byram this week. It’s also fair to say that the Blackhawks very much overpaid to get the 25-year-old defenseman, who is asking for a lot of money on an extension. Byram has long believed he’s a No. 1 defensemen but his play on the ice has said otherwise. He’ll certainly get the opportunity to prove to everyone he is that guy in Chicago.
• Buffalo didn’t re-sign Tuch and dealt away Byram. They’ve now got assets to play with, and it makes you wonder what else they’ve got up their sleeve after making the playoffs for the first time in well over a decade. Do they take a swing to try to get Connor Hellebuyck out of Winnipeg?

What I’m thinking

• The Denver Pioneers had a great summer in terms of recruiting and it would be a major surprise if defensemen Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph aren’t selected in the first round this weekend at the NHL draft.
• Loved Ottawa going out and getting Eklund as a cheaper, younger replacement for Tkachuk. They aren’t the same type of player but they could easily be a playoff team again next season if they can use the assets from the Tkachuk trade to add more NHL players.