Isn't Colorado going to try and add before the trade deadline as well?

They are in the last playoff spot of a weak west. A minor addition now, especially from one of the competing bubble teams, can get MacKinnon some playoff experience

Maybe trade Jost because he's regressed and the shine is off, but he's still young enough a rebuilding team would take a chance on him. Even if he gets back in he'll have to play wing instead of the center his game is suited to. Bring in a young scoring winger instead, or some 25 year old 2nd pairing D to strengthen the backend

Anything can happen once you get in
Even if you are guaranteed to lose in the first round, you still have the #1 overall from Ottawa.

Theres no point in getting a rental as this team has bigger problems than just 1 player. We would need improvements at every position and I would prefer to just stay the course and give time to younger players to develop.

Jost was just injured and will be out for a while so even if we wanted to trade him (which I dont) nobody would take him right now.

Imo the Avs getting into the playoffs completely depends on our goaltending. There have been plenty of games this season where the Avs completely outplay the opponent but we get no help in net and end up losing. Adding a forward or defensemen wont make a huge difference