The Colorado Avalanche are easily one of the best teams in hockey this year. That is not stopping them from being active ahead of the NHL trade deadline next Monday. On Tuesday, the Avalanche have agreed to swap forwards with the Minnesota Wild. Colorado acquired winger Nico Sturm, while sending forward Tyson Jost to the Wild.

Jost has been mostly disappointing for Colorado ever since they drafted him 10th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Jost has scored six goals to go along with eight assists in 59 games played this season. For his career, he has 45 goals and 58 assists in 321 regular season games.

In return, the Avalanche add a defensive forward in Sturm. Although Sturm is somewhat limited offensively, he brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm defensively. His 6-foot-3, 209 pound frame lends itself to being a solid two-way player. Sturm has nine goals and eight assists in 53 games this season.

Colorado does not lack for offense. The Avalanche have scored 233 goals this season. That is second best in the entire NHL, trailing only the Florida Panthers. So, it made a lot of sense to bring in a two-way forward in Sturm who can help bolster the defense.

Meanwhile, Sturm will become a restricted free agent after this season, as he is in the final year of a two-year, $1.45 million deal. This trade comes on the heels of another deal made by the Avalanche. On Monday, the Avalanche traded for defenseman Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks. Colorado sent a prospect and future draft pick in the trade.

It will be interesting to see if Colorado stays active and aggressively pursues an offensive impact player. Captain Gabriel Landeskog is recovering from recent knee surgery is looking at an extended absence.