First reported by Elliotte Friedman, pending RFA Ross Colton has been traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Colorado Avalanche. We do not know the return as of yet but this article will be updated as more news comes in so refresh and stay tuned.
Hearing Ross Colton will be traded from TB to Colorado
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 28, 2023
Colton scored 16 goals and 32 points last season after scoring 22 the year before. He is a pending RFA with a $1.25 million qualifying offer.
There’s a few ways this trade could go. This is potentially in a trade to get draft assets (the Avs own #27 and #31 in the first round, an early 2nd, and some late round picks), and in doing so create some cap space that could help keep Alex Killorn. Or to get a player back that the Lightning want.
UPDATE:
In the end, it was for the cap space and to get a pick near the start of Day 2 at the Draft. So officially it’ll be Montreal’s 37th overall pick (previously acquired by Colorado for Alex Newhook) coming to the Lightning in exchange for Colton.
Full trade, per sources:
To #GoAvsGo: Rights to RFA Ross Colton
To #GoBolts: 2023 2nd Rd Pick (No. 37 overall)@DailyFaceoff— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 28, 2023
And the official tweet from the team.
We have acquired a second-round pick, 37th overall, in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Ross Colton.https://t.co/kC3zU7Q4AO
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 28, 2023
What this does for the Lightning’s cap space is interesting. If they can save ~$500k on Colton’s replacement (Michael Eyssimont is already on the books and did well on the third line in the playoffs), make up another bit of money in trading Philippe Myers, it opens the door again for Alex Killorn to make a return.
This tweet was from yesterday. Today, they have moved some money.
The Lightning pitched Alex Killorn a long-term offer at a low AAV to stay in Tampa, but it doesn’t sound like that’ll get it done. As of now, he’s likely hitting the market July 1 unless TB can move money.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 27, 2023
It’s unfortunate how it goes in the cap world, where a player can be found money until they aren’t.
Ross Colton is one of the great success stories for the Crunch. He was in and out of the lineup as an AHL rookie, became an assistant captain in his second year, and started his third season in Syracuse before his call up. Scored the Cup clinching goal later that season. https://t.co/6X28tiioZm
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) June 28, 2023
Official Press Release:
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired a second-round pick, 37th overall, in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Ross Colton today, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced.
The Lightning now have four picks at the 2023 NHL Draft, which begins tonight in Nashville at 7 p.m. with Round 1. In addition to the 37th selection, Tampa Bay also holds pick 179 in the sixth round, as well as Nos. 193 and 211 in the seventh.
Etched in history.
SCORE! IT WAS SAVARD! HE CENTERED IT FOR ROSS COLTON! ROSS COLTON HAS MADE IT ONE NOTHING!!!!!https://t.co/084lgwKGsM
— Raw Charge (@RawCharge) June 28, 2023
