Nick Blankenburg is headed to the Colorado Avalanche after the team acquired the defenseman from the Nashville Avalanche in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The trade was announced by both teams on Wednesday as the 27-year-old Blankenburg is in the midst of a career-best offensive season.
The right-shot defenseman scored six goals and 21 points in 49 games for Nashville this year. He has also averaged 17 minutes and 58 seconds of ice time per game during his second season with the Predators.
Blankenburg joined Nashville in the 2024 offseason after signing a two-year, two-way contract with the team.
He previously started his NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Through five NHL seasons, Blankenburg has scored 16 goals and added 55 points in 164 career games. He also recorded 58 penalty minutes in that period.
He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Colorado currently has the best record in the NHL with 91 points and a record of 41 10 9.
The Avalanche are expected to use Blankenburg as additional depth on the blue line as the team continues its push for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
