3 Realistic Trade Targets for the Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have heavily invested in their star players, leading to a salary cap crunch that will create challenges this offseason. The team is also facing difficulties in terms of draft picks and prospect capital, particularly after trading Callum Ritchie as part of the Brock Nelson deal.
With Nelson now re-signed, a major offseason piece has fallen into place. The Avalanche have shown they can be creative, such as when they turned their goaltending situation into one of the best tandems in the league during the season. This front office has a history of making smart, aggressive moves. However, to secure two of these trade targets, the team would likely need to move either Miles Wood, Ross Colton, or both. Despite this, the offseason is still young.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, New York Islanders
The Avalanche are looking for depth across their lineup, especially in the bottom six. Despite re-signing Nelson for the next three seasons, the team still needs to improve defensively and in the faceoff circle. While a full season of Charlie Coyle might help with that, there’s a chance he could be moved due to his contract (one year remaining at $5.25 million). The Avalanche could target a versatile forward to strengthen the bottom part of the lineup.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau could be a solid fit for the role. He’s strong in the faceoff circle, a great penalty killer, and would help shore up the defensive issues that contributed to the Avalanche’s early playoff exit. Pageau has been a consistent 40-point scorer, though his production came with a rebuilding Islanders team. Playing alongside stars like Gabriel Landeskog or Valeri Nichushkin could give him a boost. With the Islanders in rebuild mode, a package including a B-level prospect or a longshot could be enough to land Pageau, who will be a free agent in 2026.
Eeli Tolvanen, Winger, Seattle Kraken
The Avalanche’s depth scoring was a major issue early in the 2024-25 season, and with Jonathan Drouin likely leaving, adding a player like Eeli Tolvanen could help. Tolvanen is entering the final year of his contract with a manageable $3.475 million cap hit. Coming off a career-best 22-goal season, he could add scoring depth to Colorado’s bottom six but also has the versatility to play higher up in the lineup.
The Avalanche don’t have the draft picks or prospects to swing for a major deal, making Tolvanen a reasonable target. He could provide an immediate offensive boost with his excellent shot and instincts. A mid-round pick, along with an intriguing prospect like Zakhar Bardakov, could be enough to bring Tolvanen to Colorado for the 2025-26 season.
Nicholas Robertson, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Nicholas Robertson’s future in Toronto is uncertain, especially after the 23-year-old winger expressed his desire to be traded but remains a healthy scratch. Robertson has shown scoring potential in limited opportunities but is increasingly frustrated with his situation in Toronto. This could open the door for the Avalanche to acquire him.
Robertson’s upside and low cap hit make him an attractive option for Colorado, especially given the lack of NHL-ready prospects in their system. With Brock Nelson’s contract situation settled, adding a young, talented winger could provide the supplemental scoring the Avalanche need. Robertson is a restricted free agent with limited negotiating power, meaning he could be acquired cheaply. A mid-round pick or a prospect like Oskar Olausson could be enough to bring Robertson to Colorado, offering him the change of scenery he’s looking for.
Avalanche Need to Be Strategic
With Brock Nelson now in place as the second-line center, the Avalanche’s focus will shift to adding supplemental scoring and defensive depth. Though their available assets are limited, the Avalanche remain a top contender on paper. The team’s top-six forwards are among the best in the league, and adding pieces to enhance their depth could elevate them even further. Any of these trade targets would be a valuable addition.
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