The Tampa Bay Lightning are trading Ross Colton to the Colorado Avalanche, per Elliotte Friedman. Colton, the 26-year-old former fourth-round pick, is being traded after a season in which he had 16 goals and 32 points in 81 games.
He was a member of the 2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning team that defeated the Montreal Canadiens to win their second Stanley Cup. Colton scored the lone goal in game five. In addition, it was the game-winning goal to help secure the victory for the Lightning.
DRAFT DAY TRADE 🔁
Ross Colton is now a member of the @Avalanche! 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/gsZfRaLn9r
— NHL (@NHL) June 28, 2023
Colton Traded To Colorado
Over the course of his three years in Tampa Bay, Ross Colton played 190 games scoring 83 points. Ross played in 53 playoff games scoring 19 points.
Colton is a restricted free agent and can now have a qualifying offer extended to him by the Avalanche for $1.25 million. However, a lengthier deal may be in place to resign him. The Colorado Avalanche will send a second-round pick back to Tampa in exchange for him. The 37th overall pick is Montreal’s, which the Avalanche acquired yesterday in the Alex Newhook trade.
Colton will come into the Avalanche filling a need. He will play a significant role upfront as a left-handed shot. With Newhook’s departure and Gabriel Landeskog‘s expected to be out the entire 2023-24 season, Colton will play a key role in the Avalanche’s plan moving forward.
Tampa Bay received a solid draft spot as they did not have a first-round pick this year. Chicago has the rights to that number 19 selection, one of the two first-round picks Tampa Bay traded for forward Brandon Hagel.
If Colton and the Colorado Avalanche can avoid arbitration, his new contract will likely be between $2.5 to $3.5 million per year. Tampa Bay is five hundred thousand dollars under the salary cap. In addition, their goal is to be compliant. Overall this is a huge boost for Colorado and their depth.
Main Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
