Ross Colton is finally being utilized correctly.
Ross Colton is poised to command greater attention across the league next season.
At 28 years old, Colton remains under contract with the Colorado Avalanche through the 2026–27 season. He signed a four-year agreement just over two years ago, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $4 million—a modest figure for a player whose ceiling has yet to be fully realized.
When placed in an optimal environment, Colton has demonstrated the potential to be one of the NHL’s most dynamic and consistently underrated forwards. His defining moment came as a rookie, when he etched his name into hockey history by delivering the championship-clinching goal for the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final—a performance marked by exceptional poise and precision under pressure.
The following season, Colton evolved into a formidable depth contributor for the Lightning. Appearing in 79 games, he recorded 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists), a significant leap from his rookie campaign. He played in 49 more regular-season games than the year prior, and the expanded sample size only reinforced his upward trajectory. Nearly tripling his goal total and setting a then-career-high in assists, Colton solidified his status as a reliable secondary scorer. Ultimately, Tampa Bay, constrained by the league’s salary cap, was forced to part ways with him—a move less reflective of performance than of financial necessity.
Colorado Needs Colton To Be At His Best
Some pundits debated entering the offseason the possibility of trading Colton. Reminiscent of his situation with the Lightning, it was more due to concerns with the salary cap. However, with Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood shipped off to the Columbus Blue Jackets, that’s no longer a concern.
Not all Avalanche fans remain convinced. A segment of the fanbase has voiced disappointment with Colton’s performance, citing inconsistency and suggesting his skill set is better suited for the wing than at center. And they’re not wrong. In fact, that distinction gets to the heart of the issue. Allow me to elaborate.
Since arriving in Colorado, Colton has not been deployed in a role that fully leverages his strengths. During the 2023–24 season, head coach Jared Bednar made the strategic decision to shift Colton to center—a position he had never played at the NHL level. While Colton handled the assignment competently, the move ultimately blunted his offensive impact. He posted 40 points in 80 games, a respectable total given the circumstances, but one that arguably fell short of his potential. Had he remained on the wing, it’s reasonable to believe that number would have been significantly higher.
Indeed, the following season in 2024-25 offered a compelling glimpse into what Colton is capable of when placed in a more natural position. Early in the year, Bednar returned him to the wing, and Colton flourished playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon. For a brief window, he ranked among the league’s top three goal scorers, displaying a scoring instinct and offensive rhythm that hinted at Art Ross Trophy–caliber potential.
Unfortunately, that momentum came to an abrupt halt. In late October, during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Colton sustained a broken foot while blocking a shot in the second period. He attempted to play through the injury but was ultimately forced to leave the game. The diagnosis led to a stint on injured reserve, sidelining him for 17 games before he was able to return to the lineup.
Colton also sustained a lower-body injury in Game 1 of Colorado’s first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars, exiting after logging just 7:04 of ice time. He would go on to miss the next six games, as the Avalanche were ultimately eliminated by Dallas for the second consecutive postseason.
In many ways, Colton’s tenure in Colorado has been defined by unrealized potential—hindered not by a lack of talent, but by positional misalignment and untimely injury.
Yet, there is reason for optimism. Colton has attacked the offseason with remarkable intensity, determined to reestablish himself as a critical piece of the Avalanche’s forward group. We were also on site to witness several of his training sessions firsthand, noting a renewed sharpness in both his skating and shooting mechanics.
For Avalanche fans, the takeaway is clear: Colton is primed for resurgence. As the 2025–26 campaign approaches, all signs point toward a breakout season.