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 Wednesday morning, the team announced.
Colorado flipped the 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.
Colton faced the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Final in 2022 and won the Cup with Tampa in 2021. He registered 32 points in 81 games last season, and he has 47 career goals and 36 assists in 190 games.