After sending the rights of forward Alex Newhook to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche was back making trade on Wednesday, acquiring the rights of forward Ross Colton from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After getting the 31st and 37th picks in today’s draft and defenseman Gianni Fairbrother from Montreal, Colorado now acquires additional forward depth. Over the weekend, the Avalanche also acquired Ryan Johansen from Nashville. The Avs have sent that aforementioned 37th overall pick they got from the Habs in the Newhook trade to acquire Colton, per insider Elliotte Friedman.
In 2022-23, Colton impressed when throwing his body around, recording 188 hits in the season. He also put up 16 goals and 32 points in 81 games, slightly down from 22 goals and 39 points in 79 games in 2021-22.
It’s hard not to think of Colton when remembering the 2021 championship in which the physical forward scored the game-winner of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
Colton is eligible for arbitration this summer and is just one year away from unrestricted free agency. His qualifying offer is $1.25M. The Bolts had been looking at different trade options in order to make the salary cap work.
The Lightning confirmed the transaction, moments later.
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