Back to Colorado? Avalanche inching closer to reuniting with Stanley Cup hero in massive blockbuster deal
Photo credit: Winslow Townson / USA TODAY Sports
The 2025 NHL offseason is moving quickly, and the Florida Panthers have been active since free agency opened. Despite that, they remain over the salary cap and could be forced to trade star veteran Evan Rodrigues before the start of next season.
According to a recent report, one potential destination for Rodrigues in a trade could very much be the Colorado Avalanche.
Avalanche reportedly targeting former Stanley Cup hero.
Justin Perez from The Rat Trick writes that the Avalanche are an intriguing team to consider as a potential trade partner for Rodrigues. Since capturing the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Avs have experienced three consecutive early playoff exits. Notably, in 2023, when they were stunned in a Game 7 loss to the Seattle Kraken, a franchise only in its second year at the time.
According to PuckPedia, the Avalanche still have a bit of breathing room under the salary cap, with just over $4 million in available cap space. While they may need to shed a contract to create enough room for Rodrigues, there's a major hurdle many with many of Colorado's players locked into hefty contracts that include various trade protection clauses, which could complicate any potential deal.
"Brock Nelson has a no-trade clause for the next two years and is making $7.5 million until 2028. Valeri Nichushkin, Arturri Lehkonen, and Ross Colton are making a combined $46,625,000. Each has a 12-team no-trade list. Nichuskin is not a free agent until 2030. Lehkonen and Colton don't hit the open market until 2027. Also, Devon Toews is making $7.5 million per year until 2031. He has a no-movement clause next year and has a 12-team no-trade list for the remainder of the deal." -Perez
That could pose a challenge in finalizing a potential trade, but it remains a realistic possibility. Rodrigues is no stranger to Colorado, he suited up for the Avalanche during the 2022-23 season before signing with the Panthers. That year, he delivered a strong performance with 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists) and showcased the same reliable two-way play that Panthers fans have come to appreciate.
"'E-Rod' will be a great fit for the Avalanche. He will be able to serve as a good depth piece for the middle-six in their lineup. As mentioned, he has experience playing not just in Denver but with the core that has been put together in the Mile High City. He still can play on any line, can be another veteran presence in the locker room, and adds plenty of playoff experience to a lineup that lacks some of that on specific lines." -Perez
With Jonathan Drouin heading to the New York Islanders and Joel Kiviranta still unsigned, though his time with the Avalanche appears to be over, Colorado still has some clear holes to fill up front.
They also dealt Miles Wood and Charlie Coyle to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for draft picks and a prospect. That opens the door for someone like Rodrigues, who would be an ideal fit in a second, or third-line role and could thrive alongside the Avalanche's veteran core.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 8 | 32 ANSWERS Back to Colorado? Avalanche inching closer to reuniting with Stanley Cup hero in massive blockbuster deal Do you the Avalanche should trade for Panthers' forward Evan Rodrigues? | ||
| yes | 17 | 53.1 % |
| no | 15 | 46.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
