The Colorado Avalanche will have a decision to make on forward Ross Colton. Colton is on an expiring four-year deal worth $4 million, but as a player who had a massive down year in 2025-26, it’s fair to wonder if the Avalanche will look to part ways with the 29-year-old.
Though the Avalanche can boast that they have plenty of depth, we’ve seen Colton perform well at times outside of the 2025-26 season. He was on the top line for the Avalanche at one point for a small stretch, and went absolutely nuts while in that spot. But since that short stint, he hasn’t seen that type of placement in the lineup.
I do wonder if Colton has fallen out of favour with Jared Bednar. While the Avalanche faced a weak Los Angeles Kings team in the first round of the 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs, Colton was a healthy scratch in the first two games. That was concerning for a player who is making $4 million a year.
Having Colton as a situational player does not match his cap hit at this point in time for the Avalanche. So, it would make sense for both parties to perhaps take a look at a new chapter for him. The Avalanche would probably seek a young defenseman who could fill in for a potentially-departing Brent Burns as Burns is set to hit free agency.
Colton is considered a possible cap casualty this offseason.
Thankfully, the Avalanche have had the chance to use different pair combinations on the defensive side, so a lot of those players have had a chance to play alongside several different teammates beside them.
Since Colton is still relatively young, I would also tend to think the Avalanche would seek some sort of draft capital as well. Perhaps a fourth or a fifth-round pick would do the trick. Colton has shown that he can be a solid player in the right situation, but it feels like his time with the Avalanche may be coming to an end. It will be interesting to see if that comes to fruition or if something else transpires at some point.
Ideally, however, Colton would be able to find his way back into the good graces of the Avalanche and have a tremendous 2026-27 season. A rejuvination of his former self would be fun to see and absolutely crucial if the Avs decide to hold onto him at his current price.
What the Colorado Avalanche should do with Ross Colton
I still think that, if injuries start up again next season, if Colton is still around, he should get another look at the top line because he proved that he is more than capable of taking on that responsibility. I’m not quite sure what has changed since that short stretch of games, other than the team’s solid lineup and Gabriel Landeskog’s return, but I’d be happy to see Colton back in the top-six in 2026-27.
It wouldn’t have been easy for Colton to sit some games out as a healthy scratch, so if I were in his shoes, I’d question whether or not 2026-27 will be a better year in Colorado, or if it is time to move on.
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