Colorado Avalanche & Tampa Bay Lightning Complete Trade

One day after trading Alex Newhook, the Colorado Avalanche are bringing in another center. The Avalanche have acquired Ross Colton from the Tampa Bay Lightning. In return, Tampa Bay is getting the 37th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Colton was one of the most-talked-about trade candidates heading into the offseason, and it was easy to understand why. The New Jersey native was due for a new contract, and the Lightning simply did not have the cap space to give him the raise that he has earned. Now, Colton is heading to Colorado because of it, where he should be a key part of their middle six.

Colton is coming off of a solid season that saw him record 16 goals to go along with 32 points. He also made a notable impact when it came to physicality, posting 188 hits in 81 games played. Needless to say, the Avalanche should benefit from Colton's secondary scoring ability and tenacity.

Nevertheless, this looks like a good move for the Avalanche. They now have improved down the middle, and that was a major necessity for them. As for Tampa Bay, it hurts that Colton needed to go, but at least they received a good return for him.