Nick Blankenburg Traded to Avalanche as Predators Net 2027 Fifth-Round Pick
The Nashville Predators traded defenseman Nick Blankenburg to the Colorado Avalanche on March 4, 2026, with Nashville receiving Colorado’s fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft in return. The Avalanche will cover the full remainder of Blankenburg’s $775, 000 salary, and the defenseman will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Nick Blankenburg joins Colorado Avalanche: trade terms and contract status
The deal moves Nick Blankenburg out of Nashville in exchange for a single future draft asset: Colorado’s fifth-round selection in 2027. The Avalanche assume the remaining $775, 000 on Blankenburg’s contract for the rest of the season. Blankenburg’s impending unrestricted free-agent status means Colorado acquires short-term defensive depth with no guaranteed extension required by the transaction details.
Blankenburg’s production and role in Nashville
Blankenburg, 27, appeared in 49 games for Nashville this season, producing six goals and a total of 21 points. In two seasons with the Predators he skated in 109 games and established himself as a regular contributor on the team’s blueline. He emerged as a consistent two-way defenseman after injuries to Roman Josi and Luke Schenn and formed a notable partnership with Brady Skjei that was identified as the team’s best defensive pairing last season.
Additional context from the season shows Blankenburg averaged meaningful minutes and provided a mix of defensive work and transition offense across his appearances. That combination of short-term productivity and veteran presence is likely the primary reason Colorado targeted him ahead of their push in the standings.
What the trade means for Nashville’s asset picture and front office activity
The Predators now own Colorado’s fifth-round pick in the 2027 draft, increasing their stock of future selections. Nashville’s front office activity around the roster has been active this week; this marks the third trade completed by general manager Barry Trotz in the span of the week. Earlier moves included sending Michael McCarron to Minnesota in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and trading Cole Smith for a 2028 third-round pick. Across the next three drafts, the team now holds a larger collection of selections, with one summary noting the organization has accumulated 32 picks in that span.
Specifically for the 2027 draft, the club now controls 12 selections. That allotment reportedly includes multiple mid-round slots: four third-round picks, two fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks, and one pick in each of the first, second, sixth and seventh rounds. These added assets give the club more flexibility to address long-term roster building through drafting, future trades, or packaging picks in potential deals.
Outlook and next steps
For Colorado, the acquisition supplies defensive depth as they pursue their season objectives. For Blankenburg, the immediate focus will be integrating into a new lineup while approaching free-agent status this summer. For Nashville, the trade is another move in a flurry of deadline-week activity that increases draft capital and shapes the organization’s short- and long-term roster strategy.
Details from the transaction and roster implications are final as presented; roster roles, ice time, and any subsequent contract decisions may evolve in the coming days and weeks.
