Colorado Avalanche make big trades ahead of 2025 NHL Draft

In the United States, the Colorado Avalanche have kicked off their summer offseason roster moves ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 NHL Draft. On June 27, 2025, the Avalanche executed a significant trade by sending forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, they secured forward prospect Gavin Brindley, who had been a second-round pick in 2023, along with a third-round selection (77th overall) in the upcoming draft and a conditional second-round selection for 2027. Charlie Coyle, who finds himself with one year left on a $5.25 million contract, provides Columbus with a seasoned forward. Miles Wood, who has a four-year contract worth $2.5 million remaining, further adds to the Blue Jackets' roster depth. The trades not only improve Columbus’ forward lineup but also serve a critical purpose for the Avalanche in freeing up important cap space for future activities. With this move, Colorado is projected to hold around $8.95 million in cap space, offering flexibility as they prepare for the draft and potential free agency. Gavin Brindley, now part of the Avalanche organization, is expected to report to the AHL affiliate, Colorado Eagles. His limited but promising NHL experience includes a single game played since his draft. The Avalanche's strategy appears to favor younger talent development while offloading established players, indicating a shift in their team dynamics and future outlook. The franchise has been keen on making significant roster adjustments in hopes of improving their competitive edge moving forward. The timing of these trades ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, which started at 5 p.m. MT on June 27, allowed the Avalanche to make quick adjustments to diversify their roster. It seems they were not expecting to make first-round selections unless unforeseen trades presented themselves. The changes indicate that Colorado’s management is adopting a more flexible approach to team-building, possibly looking for avenues to bolster their lineup through the draft and free agency in the coming weeks.