Nashville Predators Acquire Ross Colton
New President of Hockey Operations Chris MacFarland makes his first roster move
“We are very excited to add Ross Colton to our forward mix,” MacFarland said. “Ross is a versatile, two-way winger who will add sandpaper and grit into our middle six group.”
The Chris MacFarland era of the Nashville Predators took the next step as the team announced that forward Ross Colton has been acquired from the Colorado Avalanche along with goaltender Isak Posch in exchange for a 2026 3rd round draft pick, a 2027 3rd round pick and the rights to goaltender Magnus Chrona. Ross Colton was originally a fourth round selection of the Tampa Bay Lightning and was a part of the 2020-21 Lightning team that won the Stanley Cup. Colton was traded from Tampa to Colorado in June of 2023 and has spent the last three seasons with the Avalanche. Over his career, Colton has notched 89 goals and 176 points in 404 regular season games plus another 28 points in 75 Stanley Cup playoff games. Colton is in the final season of a 4 year, $16M contract originally signed with Colorado.
Ross Colton will likely fit as a versatile middle six forward who can play both center and wing across multiple lines. With forwards Erik Haula and Tyson Jost set to hit free agency Colton fills the role of a veteran presence who plays with some edge, contribute offensively and take some of the pressure off the multiple young forwards growing into the NHL game. Also, as Chris MacFarland looks to establish a new culture in the Predators organization he is able to bring one of his guys into the room to help set the tone.
Isak Posch is a young goaltender who just completed his first full season of professional hockey. With Magnus Chrona heading overseas and Jack Ivankovic still competing at the NCAA level the acquisition gives the Predators another option in net below the NHL alongside Matt Murray, Ethan Haider and TJ Semptimphelter.
Quotes and statistics courtesy of the Nashville Predators, the NHL and Elite Prospects
