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Colorado Avalanche trade of Alex Newhook turns into something more

By Graham Tiedtke

Apr 20, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Ross Colton (79) stretches during the warmup against the Toronto Maple Leafs before game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Ross Colton (79) stretches during the warmup against the Toronto Maple Leafs before game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alex Newhook was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Montreal Canadiens for two draft picks and defenceman Gianni Fairbrother. The team has now shipped one of those picks (pick 37th overall) to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for center Ross Colton.

When the Newhook trade broke, the Avalanche were certain to be looking for more action before the NHL Draft. Their window is open right now. They want to win. They also want to stock up on prospects, but it is a balancing act.

Colton appeared in 81 of 82 games for the Lightning last year and scored 16 goals while assisting

on 16 others. He had a plus-minus of -8 though.

Colorado has now addressed the center position several times this offseason, including the addition of Ryan Johansen from the Nashville Predators.

"“Ross is a hard-working, two-way center with a championship pedigree. He has physicality to his game, is ultra-competitive and his versatility will make him a valuable addition to our lineup in a lot of ways.”– Colorado Avalanche general Manager Chris MacFarland"

Colton is a restricted free agent so the Avalanche will need to agree with him on a new contract to keep him around. It would make sense for the new deal to be something along the lines of a two-year length.

The move to acquire Colton also hints that free agent J.T. Compher might be too expensive for the team to re-sign.

It is possible that the Avalanche have several ideas for Colton’s fit on the team: Will he be the team’s second center or third center? It will depend on where the Avalanche see him and Ryan Johansen fitting. Maybe it will be an instance where both could be interchangeable and we see different line combinations early on to see what works and what doesn’t.

The Avalanche are making moves and doing their best to keep their championship window open.

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