Predators Acquire Ross Colton from Avalanche in Strategic Trade

New Nashville front-office executive Chris MacFarland wasted no time in making his mark, orchestrating a trade with his former team to bring Colorado forward Ross Colton to the Predators. This move highlights MacFarland’s commitment to reshaping the roster as he transitions from his role as Avalanche GM to president of hockey operations/general manager in Nashville.

In this deal, the Predators not only secured Colton but also acquired goaltender Isak Posch. In exchange, Colorado will receive goalie Magnus Chrona and a pair of third-round picks in the 2026 and 2027 drafts. MacFarland expressed his enthusiasm for the addition of Colton, stating, “We are very excited to add Ross Colton to our forward mix. Ross is a versatile, two-way winger who will add sandpaper and grit into our middle six group.”

Colton joins Nashville after a season with Colorado where he recorded nine goals and 15 assists over 73 games, while also ranking third on the team with 159 hits. The Avalanche reached the Western Conference Final last season but were ultimately swept by the Vegas Golden Knights. Colton’s journey to Colorado was facilitated by MacFarland, who played a key role in the trade that brought him from Tampa Bay to the Avalanche on June 28, 2023, followed by a four-year contract signing.

This trade also bolsters the draft capital for Joe Sakic, who is stepping back into the GM role following MacFarland’s departure. Sakic, the President of Hockey Operations, previously held this position during the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in 2022.

Joining Chrona in the trade is Isak Posch, who has spent the last two seasons with the Colorado Eagles. Posch was selected for the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic representing the Pacific Division. MacFarland highlighted Posch’s potential, saying, “He is a big goalie who will add to our already impressive depth at this position.” Chrona, who has a history with the area from his collegiate days at the University of Denver, brings experience from last season’s AHL campaign where he posted a 9-11-3 record with a 2.94 goals-against average.

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