Max Talbot has been traded to the Avalanche for Steve Downie:

The Colorado Avalanche on Thursday traded forward Steve Downie to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Maxime Talbot.

Downie, 26, was selected by the Flyers in the first round (No. 29) of the 2005 NHL Draft and spent parts of two seasons with the team before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning traded him to the Avalanche during the 2011-12 season.

In 11 games this season Downie has one goal and six points. He had spent most of the season playing right wing on the Avs’ most productive line, alongside center Matt Duchene and left wing Ryan O’Reilly.

He’s in the final season of a two-year, $5.3 million contract and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

In seven seasons, Downie has 56 goals and 145 points in 285 games with the Flyers, Lightning and Avalanche.

Not a terrible trade. Downie has more scoring ability than Talbot, who has almost none. He’s kind of nuts and has that Flyers grit, which, at this point, I think we could all take or leave. But he’s better than Talbot and he’s a free agent after this season. Talbot still had two years left on his deal. This gives the Flyers some much needed flexibility.

Introducing our Type OB Time to Drinking Kool-Aid Meter, estimating how long it takes Type OBs to be totally on board: two minutes. This is a no-brainer. Decent deal, former Flyer. The only hesitation will be in remembering that Downie wasn’t that good the first time.

UPDATE:

John Boruk has offered his analysis:

Voila_Capture405

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Is Berube some sort of renowned molder of men? Downie is a headcase and Berube will get him in line? Berube will train him to kill a man with his bare hands? What? Typical Comcast party line response. I think Boruk’s suits are too tight and restricting oxygen flow to his brain.