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The Colorado Avalanche have flirted with the idea of trading their first overall selection at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, but it would take something astronomical. Now it sounds like the Calgary Flames tried to make a bold move to acquire the top pick.

According to Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman, Calgary offered the Avalanche all three of its first-round selections it owns in this draft for the No. 1 pick in 2013. Colorado turned down the offer, however, according to Friedman.

Calgary owns the sixth, 22nd and 28th overall pick in 2013, having acquired the latter two in trades near the deadline.

It sounds like a crazy offer, as one might think three first-rounders are better than one, but that’s how impressive the consensus top three players available in this draft are. Colorado likely has in mind who they want among Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, and probably wouldn’t accept any deal that takes them out of a range to acquire one of those three.

From Calgary’s perspective, this is a home run swing, but not necessarily insane.

There are several NHL-ready talents available and Calgary should be able to get one at No. 6, but the top three could be franchise-altering players. That’s worth spending a lot on and probably why Colorado passed.

Calgary shouldn’t feel too bad, though. Having a bevy of picks as the draft nears gives the Flames a lot of high-value options, whether it be via trade or simply making three first-round selections.

(h/t Jeff Marek)