It’s well documented by now that when Ross Colton was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Avalanche felt they could shift him to center to fill that third-line role they had just lost in J.T. Compher’s departure.
Things started out okay in 2023-24, but it didn’t quite stick the way the team wanted. After starting the 2024-25 season in that position flanked by Miles Wood and Logan O’Connor, Colton was shifted to the wing when injuries decimated the Avs’ top six.
They were already without Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) and Artturi Lehkonen (injury) when Jonathan Drouin suffered an injury on opening night. Colton’s experience on the wing became a necessity, and he was placed on the top line with Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon.
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The early returns were great. Colton had eight goals and nine points in just 10 games. But in the 11th game? An injury put him on the shelf for six weeks. And his season was never quite the same. At least not until after the trade deadline when he was finally given consistent line mates and an opportunity to play his game without half the roster playing minimal minutes.
Unlike last season, the Avalanche are starting the year with depth. They have 12 capable forwards. Even if Victor Olofsson’s success in Denver is yet to be determined, and even if Jack Drury might fit better as a fourth-line center, it’s still a lot better than what they had for three quarters of last year’s regular season.
Colton has a chance to play the wing on a third line that has the potential to do damage. At least for the role they play. He also will continue to be that Swiss army knife that can slot into the top six as needed. Unlike last year, he can help out with a talented second line, and not have to face the top defensemen on other teams that are often up against MacKinnon.
It’s an opportunity for Colton to finally have that breakout season. Can he get it done?
I have some doubts. And it’s largely connected to the inconsistencies he’s shown over the years. But I also do think Colton is slightly underrated for what he brings. Of all the depth forwards that have been in and out of the organization since 2022, none of them have the Stanley Cup experience that Colton has. None have played as many postseason games as him, and none have scored a Stanley Cup winning goal.
You can also argue that losing Colton to injury just as Gabe Landeskog was ready to return in the postseason was a far bigger loss than the team may have originally thought.
The fact is, Colton can, and should score 20+ goals next season. He should be able to hover around 40–50 points and do it by playing in different roles in the middle six. He should be able to click with guys like Brock Nelson and Nichushkin. He should be a great complement to Landeskog if they wind up on the same line at some point. (It’s hard to believe those two have never played together before.)
But it’ll all start with a strong training camp, and more importantly, consistency. If Colton can do that, he’ll prove why it was the right choice to keep him ahead of Charlie Coyle. And why, at $4 million, he’s a necessary piece of the Avs’ lineup.
