The Colorado Avalanche were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after a hard-fought seven-game series loss to the Dallas Stars. Despite a season that held high hopes, the early exit has left many wondering whether the team will pursue bold moves during the offseason.
In recent years, Colorado has not shied away from major trades. Notably, they dealt star forward Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes this past season. They also sent a significant package to the New York Islanders to bring in veteran center Brock Nelson prior to the trade deadline.
Despite these efforts, the Avalanche have failed to make it beyond the second round for three straight years. With elite talent like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, expectations are sky-high—and this continued underperformance might drive the team to make a substantial roster move.
A Potential Big Swing: Elias Pettersson Trade?
Bleacher Report’s Adam Getz floated a trade idea that would see Colorado acquire center Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks. According to Getz, Vancouver may be losing confidence in Pettersson, and a change of scenery could benefit the Swedish forward. He suggested Colorado’s up-tempo style and offensive depth would be a great fit for the 26-year-old, and pointed to the Avalanche’s history of aggressive moves as a reason this trade might make sense.
Center Depth Still a Priority
Colorado continues to struggle with center depth behind MacKinnon. Over the past few seasons, the team has brought in players like Nelson, Casey Mittelstadt, and Ryan Johansen. However, these moves haven’t yielded long-term results. Johansen was traded to the Flyers with a first-round pick, and Mittelstadt was moved to the Bruins at the deadline.
Nelson, though productive with 13 points in 19 games and five more in the playoffs, becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. While the Avalanche have the resources to re-sign him, competition in the open market may complicate matters, potentially renewing the team’s search for a reliable second-line center.
Pettersson’s Future in Question
Elias Pettersson, once among the NHL’s top centers, has seen his performance drop sharply since a 100-point season in 2022–23. Former Canucks coach Rick Tocchet expressed that Pettersson needs to improve his preparation and practice habits to return to elite form. Tocchet, who has since left the Canucks, was hopeful Pettersson would respond positively and use the offseason to make necessary changes.
With Tocchet gone and Adam Foote now coaching Vancouver, Pettersson’s future with the Canucks is uncertain. Whether he stays or goes, it’s clear the 2025–26 season will be a crucial one for the forward.