The Avalanche acquired the rights to restricted free agent Ross Colton from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the No. 37 pick in the 2023 draft, the team announced Wednesday morning.
Colorado flipped the early second-round pick after receiving it via trade the previous day from Montreal. The Avalanche essentially traded Alex Newhook, also an RFA, to end up with Colton from Tampa and the No. 31 overall pick (a first-rounder) from Montreal.
The Avs have added two centers this offseason while retaining their No. 27 overall pick and obtaining another first-rounder. With Ryan Johansen and Colton, they have retooled their depth in the middle of the ice behind Nathan MacKinnon.