Some have speculated that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be interested in trading for Ross Colton, a forward with the Colorado Avalanche. On June 28, 2023, the Avalanche acquired Colton as part of a salary cap deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a year away, Colton is once again the subject of trade speculation as the Avalanche want to clear contract space. Kevin Papetti of The Athletic believes that the Maple Leafs will be interested in acquiring him. Colton was acquired by the Avalanche as a cap casualty from the Tampa Bay Lightning less than one calendar year ago, on June 28, 2015. Now, after a year has passed, Colton may still be the same Avalanche. Additionally, Colton just had his finest season ever with 40 points. Just so you know, Colton might end up being the scapegoat this summer because to all the cap hurdles that Colorado has to clear. The post on DailyFaceoff.com stated that in order for Gabriel Landeskog to be activated at some point next season, they must make room.
Valeri Nichushkin is in the third stage of the Player Assistance program following a drug-related incident in the playoffs for the second year running, although their position remains uncertain. Jonathan Drouin’s resignation has also been given top priority. With Casey Mittelstadt in the lineup and in need of a new contract, the Avalanche should have no trouble trading Colton for a center, but they’ll need to move quickly before July 1 rolls around and his complete “no-trade” clause takes effect. In the meantime, he is unprotected in the trade, the story continued. Colton, who was dealt to the Avalanche by the Lightning on July 17, 2023, has completed the first year of a four-year, $16 million contract. During his rookie season with the Avalanche, Colton set a career high in
Colton is the New Stanley Cup Champion! Colton, who won a Stanley Cup in 2021 with the Lightning, would be an experienced addition to the Maple Leafs’ lineup if they were to trade for him. In Game 5, Colton scored the game-winning goal, allowing Tampa Bay to capture their second consecutive championship. The forward, though, did not make the victorious 2020 squad. After getting his start in the AHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018, Colton became an undrafted free agent. The forward debuted in the National Hockey League during the 2020–21 season and started all 23 postseason games that year, helping his club to a championship. Colton has appeared in 63 games during his NHL postseason career, scoring 11 goals and assisting on 12 more, for a total of 23 points.
