The Nashville Predators have acquired center Ross Colton from the Colorado Avalanche for two third-round picks, the team announced on Tuesday, June 16.
In the trade, the Predators acquire Colton and goaltender Isak Posch for Nashville’s third-round pick in 2026, Colorado’s third-round pick in 2027 (which was previously acquired by Nashville), and goaltender Magnus Chrona.
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This is Chris MacFarland’s first trade since being hired as the Predators’ president of hockey operations and general manager.
Colton, 29, scored nine goals and 15 assists in 73 games as a mostly third-line center for the Avalanche last season. Over six seasons, Colton has 89 goals and 87 assists in 404 games for the Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes secured the Stanley Cup, closing out the series with a championship‑winning performance.
See the defining moments from the title‑clinching game as the Hurricanes lifted the Cup.
Above, Carolina Hurricanes celebrate the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes secured the Stanley Cup, closing out the series with a championship‑winning performance.
See the defining moments from the title‑clinching game as the Hurricanes lifted the Cup.
Above, Carolina Hurricanes celebrate the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Carter Hart #79 of the Vegas Golden Knights defends the net against Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates at the end of Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate winning Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal in the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Mark Jankowski #77, Brandon Bussi #32 and Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
K’andre Miller #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts after winning against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal scored by Taylor Hall #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
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Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Commissioner Gary Bettman presents Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes with the Conn Smythe Trophy after winning in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
Colton is in the final year of a four-year, $16 million deal he signed with Colorado in 2023. He will earn $4 million in 2026-27 and has a modified no-trade clause.
According to Puck Pedia, the Predators have more than $27 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season.
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A 6-foot, 197-pound center, Colton brings a balanced approach up the middle. He’s not flashy on offense, but he’s an excellent possession player and wins face-offs. Barring other moves, Colton should join Ryan O’Reilly, Matthew Wood, and Fedor Svechkov as the team’s top centers entering next season.
BLUEPRINT: What the Nashville Predators can learn from Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup winning blueprint
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators acquire center Ross Colton in trade with Avalanche
