Predators’ Chris MacFarland lands ex-Avalanche center Ross Colton in trade with Colorado

The Nashville Predators moved quickly in the NHL offseason, finalizing a trade that sends Colorado forward Ross Colton to Tennessee. The deal is connected to a change at the top of Nashville’s hockey department, with Chris MacFarland joining the Predators as president of hockey operations and general manager after previously serving as the Avalanche’s general manager.

MacFarland, who has close ties to Colorado’s front office after his time with the Avalanche, acquired Colton along with goaltender Isak Posch, according to the report. For Colorado, the trade returns goalie Magnus Chrona plus two third-round selections, one in 2026 and another in 2027.

Colton, a center, gives Nashville a different profile in its forward group as the Predators look for more depth and reliability down the middle. While Nashville’s needs can vary depending on injury, matchup, and coaching deployment, adding a center through a straight trade typically indicates a desire for stable minutes and flexibility across roles.

Posch’s inclusion adds another goaltending piece to the mix for Nashville. At the same time, Colorado’s return package emphasizes goaltending development, with Chrona coming to the Avalanche as part of the compensation. Trades involving multiple goalies often reflect organizational planning for both near-term stability and longer-term prospects.

The draft-pick component matters in the broader picture. Colorado’s acquisition of two third-round picks increases its options to add talent in the middle rounds, where teams frequently target skaters and depth prospects who can grow within a system. For Nashville, sending picks alongside a player can be viewed as a willingness to exchange future value for more immediate roster assets.

The news also highlights how leadership transitions can affect team-building pace. MacFarland’s move from an Avalanche executive role to the Predators’ top hockey job sets a direct line between two organizations that are otherwise divided by conference play and playoff timing.

What to watch next is how Nashville integrates Colton and where the new center slots into the forward hierarchy under its current coaching staff. On Colorado’s side, the Avalanche will likely evaluate how Chrona fits into the goaltending depth chart and whether the additional third-round picks shape their target lists in upcoming drafts.