Aarif Deen
The Colorado Avalanche are making their first move of the offseason, and they’re linking up with an old friend to make it happen.
The Avs sent forward Ross Colton and goalie Isak Posch to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, in exchange for two third-round draft picks and the rights to unrestricted free agent goalie Magnus Chrona.
The Predators are run by former Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland, who acquired and signed Colton three years ago. At the time, he paid a second-rounder to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Colton is entering the final season of a four-year contract he signed with the Avalanche in summer 2023. His $4 million cap hit coming off the books will likely help the Avs allocate dollars towards their defense core.
The 29-year-old forward began his Colorado tenure as a third-line center before shifting back to his natural position on the wing for the last two years. Colton had a career-high 40 points in 2023-24, but struggled offensively this past season, posting nine goals and 24 points in 73 games.
In the playoffs, Colton was a healthy scratch for the first two games. He dressed in the 11 games after that, recording two goals and five points. Colton is an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The third round picks Colorado is receiving are in each of the next two drafts. The 2026 third-rounder belongs to Nashville, while the 2027 third-rounder originally belonged to the Avalanche. It was sent to Nashville two seasons ago in the deal that brought Juuso Parssinen to the Avalanche.
Chrona is heading to Europe and will play in Sweden in 2026-27. He’s unlikely to be part of the Avs’ organization.