Avalanche Trade Jack Drury to Predators in Blockbuster Deal

In a significant move on a day filled with NHL trades, the Colorado Avalanche made headlines by trading Jack Drury, along with Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round pick, to the Nashville Predators. In exchange, Colorado received a pair of promising 23-year-old forwards: Fyodor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux, both former first-round draft picks.

Drury’s desire for a substantial payday had been circulating in rumors, especially after the Avalanche acquired Nicolas Roy at the trade deadline, indicating that the team was unlikely to allocate $3 million for two bottom-six players. General Manager Joe Sakic and Chris MacFarland, now with Nashville, were undoubtedly aware of Drury’s valuation and his status as a Restricted Free Agent eligible for arbitration. While parting with a third-round pick in the distant future may seem excessive, it does not significantly impact Colorado’s upcoming draft class, which boasts nine picks. The inclusion of Chase Bradley appears to balance the deal, as the Avalanche take on two contracts in return.

Joining Colorado are the two former Nashville first-round selections, Fyodor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux. Both players recently signed two-year extensions that will keep them under contract until they become Restricted Free Agents in 2028. Although they have a fair amount of NHL experience, they have also spent time in the AHL as recently as this year. Notably, they are no longer waiver-exempt, positioning them for a spot on the Avalanche’s opening-night roster this fall.

Svechkov, a 6-foot left-shot center, was drafted 19th overall and has played the majority of the 2025-26 season in the NHL, appearing in 70 games and recording 17 points. He has also seen action in the AHL, scoring eight points, including five goals in just 10 games. With a contract of $1.25 million for the next two seasons, Svechkov represents a solid option for Colorado as they seek their next fourth-line center.

On the other hand, L’Heureux, selected 27th overall in the 2021 draft, has accumulated 87 career NHL games. His playing time has varied, with most of his action occurring during the 2024-25 season as he navigated between the NHL and AHL. The 5-foot-11 left winger scored five points for Nashville and 28 for Milwaukee. Known for his aggressive style, L’Heureux has a reputation for playing on the edge, averaging a penalty minute per game and setting a rookie record with 198 hits. His contract, a very affordable $875,000 for the next two seasons, adds to his appeal.

This trade marks a new chapter for both teams, with Colorado bolstering their roster with young talent while Nashville welcomes Drury as they reshape their lineup. What are your thoughts on the trade? Share your opinions in the comments!

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