The Colorado Avalanche have been anything but idle this offseason, making strategic moves to bolster their roster and future prospects. With four trades under their belt, two defensemen re-signed, and nine fresh faces from the 2026 NHL Draft, the Avs are clearly on a mission.
Let's break down the action: On June 16, Colorado sent forward Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch to the Nashville Predators. In return, they snagged goalie Magnus Chrona and a couple of third-round picks for 2026 and 2027.
Fast forward nine days, and the Avs were at it again, acquiring forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux from Nashville in exchange for forward Jack Drury and a 2029 third-round pick. Then, just this past Thursday, they secured a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets by trading away forward Valeri Nichushkin.
Joe Sakic, the Avalanche's President of Hockey Operations, has been at the helm of these maneuvers. He sees Svechkov as a player who can mirror Drury's role, while L’Heureux is exactly the kind of player Colorado is keen on adding to their mix. The trades weren't just about player swaps; they were also about smart financial management, freeing up salary cap space, and stockpiling draft picks for potential future trades.
"We couldn’t have brought everybody back," Sakic explained. The recent signings of Brent Burns and Brett Kulak-one-year and five-year extensions, respectively-underscore the team's commitment to maintaining a solid defensive lineup. Sakic praised Kulak for his exceptional performance since joining from a deal involving Samuel Girard, and highlighted Burns' leadership and strong season.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche are gearing up for free agency with plans to sign two forwards and a defenseman. Discussions for extensions with key players Cale Makar and Artturi Lehkonen are set to kick off in mid-July.
The infusion of nine new prospects, thanks to the draft capital Colorado amassed, ties the franchise's record for the most picks in an NHL Draft since the seven-round format began. It's clear that the Avalanche are building not just for the now, but for a sustainable future in the league.
In Other News...
Joe Sakic Just Sent Another Jolt Through The Avalanche Roster
The Avalanche kept the offseason moving in a big way around the 2026 NHL Draft, adding nine players while Joe Sakic continued to reshape the roster through a string of moves. Colorado also dealt Ivan Ivan to the Boston Bruins for Fabian Lysell, another sign the front office is still trying to balance short-term roster stability with longer-term upside.
Brent Burns coming back for another season added a familiar veteran layer to the mix, but the larger picture is still very much in motion. With Sakic active in the market and the Avalanche making multiple deals, the roster looks far from finished, and the next move could say a lot about how Colorado sees its window right now. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Just Made A Makar Move Fans Will Want To See
The Avalanche kept a familiar name in the fold by signing forward Taylor Makar to a two-year contract that runs through the 2027-28 season. It is the latest step in a first full professional year that saw him move between Colorado and the Colorado Eagles, with the 2025-26 season giving him a taste of both NHL and AHL duty as he worked his way into the organizations plans.
Makars background already gives the deal extra interest around the team. The younger brother of defenseman Cale Makar came to pro hockey after college stops at the University of Maine and UMass-Amherst, and his development has been watched closely ever since he entered the Avalanche system. His first year also carried him into a meaningful spring run with the Eagles, which only adds to the sense that Colorado sees a player worth keeping close as his next chapter begins. [Read more 🡒]
Another Avalanche Linked Pick Just Took An Unexpected New Turn
A pick tied to Colorados draft future has already taken on a different look after a fresh move in Vancouver. Nashville added winger Nils Hglander from the Canucks for a third-round pick in 2029, giving the Predators another young piece to sort into their lineup while Vancouver picked up draft capital and some cap relief.
For Avalanche fans, the wrinkle is less about where Hglander landed than how a previously connected asset keeps changing hands. Hglander is under contract through the 2027-28 season, and the move gives Nashville a player whose recent season was shaped by an ankle injury and a steep dip in production after a more productive year before that, making this one of those deals that could still look very different down the road. [Read more 🡒]