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Chris MacFarland starts Predators era by trading for Avalanche forward
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- Chris MacFarland starts Predators era by trading for Avalanche forward
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The Nashville Predators started their offseason by poaching general manager Chris MacFarland from the Colorado Avalanche . Now, the hockey operations vet has made his first move. The Predators have acquired Ross Colton from the Avalanche in a trade that involves multiple draft picks.
The Predators announced the deal as goalie prospect Magnus Chrona and two third-round picks going to the Avalanche for Colton and goalie prospect Isak Posch. The Avalanche acquired the 2026 third-rounder from Nashville and the 2027 third-rounder they had previously sent to the Predators. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the deal.
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Colton spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning before they traded him to the Avalanche. He spent three seasons in Colorado and now heads to Nashville with one year left on his $4 million deal.
Colton had the worst offensive season of his career with the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche last season. He managed just nine goals and 24 points, with no points coming on the powerplay. In 2024-25, he scored five powerplay goals on his way to a 16-goal season in just 61 games.
The Predators are headed in a new direction after a disastrous tenure for Barry Trotz as the general manager. They now have MacFarland, who was integral in building the 2022 Stanley Cup Champions, running the show. His first order of business was to bring someone in who could install a culture of winning, and Colton can do that.
Colton made two Stanley Cup Final appearances with the Lightning, winning the title in his rookie year. That second season, they lost to the Avalanche. As a depth player on successful Avalanche teams, he impressed MacFarland enough to be his first addition with the new team.
What other moves could be coming for the Predators in MacFarland's first offseason? Will the Avalanche be trading more pieces away this summer?
