Former 1st rounder Martin Kaut explains why he asked Colorado for a trade several times

Given Colorado's place in the NHL in recent years, there likely aren't too many players that would ask to be traded away from the Avalanche. Martin Kaut, the Avs 1st-rounder in 2018 (16th overall), insists he did want out of Colorado, which was accomplished in January when he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in January.

"Honestly, I asked for a trade like probably five times during the five years," said Kaut to reporters in San Jose Sunday following his first game with the team.

Kaut said he trains in the summer time with the Sharks Tomas Hertl, who, like him, is from the Czech Republic. He said it was Hertl who first informed him he'd been traded alongside Jacob MacDonald to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Matt Nieto and fellow 2018 first-round pick, Ryan Merkley. Kaut said he just wanted a chance to play.

"I played, this year with the Avs, like 30 games or something. Most of the time, I played on the fourth line with two [defensemen] and I played center. I'm a right wing. Played four or five minutes [in a game]," Kaut explained.

"I know Colorado wants to win a Stanley Cup again, so it's really hard to make the top-three lines. But that's why I asked for a trade."

Kaut was initially sent to the Barracuda of the AHL following the exchange, and put up 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) in seven games. That was enough to get him called up to the Sharks. It seems he made an impression on head coach David Quinn right away

"I liked his game a lot tonight. It was a big kid who skates, is responsible. It's not an easy situation to be thrown into. He flies in late last night to play his first game for us. I liked what I saw."

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