Avalanche add defensive depth, make a trade with the Predators

The Colorado Avalanche continue to add defensive depth as the push for another Stanley Cup heats up.

First, it was defenseman Brett Kulak coming over from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick.

Now, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has traded for defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators. Colorado gave up a fifth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft to secure the deal.

We have acquired defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Welcome to Colorado, Nick! 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/uB47UPH9Ma

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 5, 2026

Blankenburg provides head coach Jared Bednar with another option on defense, although the Avalanche seem pretty happy right now with Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Brent Burns, Josh Manson, Sam Malinski and Kulak. It’s a good insurance policy for the playoffs if anyone gets hurt, plus gives Bednar choices of who to put in the lineup.

In 49 games with the Predators this season, Blankenburg has six goals and 15 assists, good for 21 points. He’s averaging about 18:00 minutes of ice-time per game.

The 5-foot-9, 177-pound defenseman has played in 164 career NHL games with Nashville (2024-26) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (2021-24), registering 55 points. The 2025-26 campaign has clearly been the best of his career for the 27-year-old.

We’ll see how many other moves the Avalanche make before Friday afternoon’s NHL trade deadline, but while this is minor in the grand scheme of things, defensive depth is never a bad thing.

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