Avalanche Trade Jack Drury to Predators for Svechkov and L’Heureux

The Colorado Avalanche have officially parted ways with Jack Drury, trading the 25-year-old center to the Nashville Predators in a multi-player deal on Wednesday. The decision comes after contract extension discussions stalled throughout the regular season, leaving Colorado to seek fresh options for their forward group.

In the trade, the Avalanche sent Drury, along with forward Chase Bradley and a third-round draft pick, to Nashville. In return, they received Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux, both 23 years old, adding depth and versatility to their roster.

Svechkov arrives in Colorado after a season split between the Predators and AHL Milwaukee, where he participated in 70 games and collected 17 points, including four goals and 13 assists. While his offensive output remained relatively unchanged from his rookie season, his consistent role in the bottom six showcased his ability to adapt to the NHL’s competitive environment. Originally selected 19th overall by Nashville in the 2021 draft, Svechkov has logged 122 NHL games and accumulated 34 career points, alongside a solid track record in the AHL and international play.

L’Heureux, also a first-round pick from 2021, adds a dynamic presence to the Avalanche’s forward lineup. Known for his physical playing style, he has the potential to be the type of “power winger” the team has been looking for. Last season, L’Heureux split his time between Nashville and AHL Milwaukee, appearing in 25 NHL games and tallying 28 points in the minors. However, his aggressive style has been marred by a history of disciplinary issues, including multiple suspensions throughout his career. Most notably, he received a 10-game ban in junior hockey for an incident involving a fan and was suspended three games in January 2025 for slew-footing Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon. In total, he has faced 12 suspensions, missing 42 games due to various infractions.

This trade signifies another shift for the Avalanche, who have been reworking their forward lineup during the offseason. Drury, who made 115 appearances for Colorado after being acquired from Carolina in January 2025, contributed 36 points in a bottom-six role. However, with contract negotiations stalling, the Avalanche opted to move him rather than risk losing him to free agency.

Bradley, a college free agent signed in 2024, had a brief stint with the Avalanche, playing in just two NHL games while primarily developing in the team’s minor league system. The Avalanche’s decision to trade Drury reflects their commitment to reshaping their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.