HUGE BOOST: The Colorado makes two more Significant Deal on Trade Deadline

On NHL Trade Deadline day, the Colorado Avalanche stayed active, continuing their roster shakeup after acquiring Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders the night before.

Before the deadline, the Avalanche completed two more trades, bringing in Charlie Coyle from the Boston Bruins and Erik Johnson from the Philadelphia Flyers.

As previously noted, Colorado acquired Coyle and a 2026 fifth-round pick from Boston in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt, Will Zellers, and a 2025 second-round pick. This move marks the end of Mittelstadt’s tenure with the Avalanche—a stint that started with promise but ultimately required the team to address another issue at the second-line center position.

That BOS/COL deal

To COL: Charlie Coyle, 5th 2026
To BOS: Casey Mittelstadt, Will Zellers, 2nd 2025

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2025

Coyle brings a different skill set compared to Mittelstadt, as he is more of a shoot-first center rather than a pass-first playmaker. With his size and physicality, he should add valuable elements to the Avalanche lineup. He also provides some roster stability with one year remaining on his $5.25 million contract, whereas Brock Nelson is currently considered a rental.

Charlie Coyle, acquired by COL, is a middle-six shoot-first centre. Goes to the net and makes himself available for passes to the slot, has slick hands too. Decent size and physicality, and while he's deployed as a shut-down centre he hasn't had a great D impact. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/dSKuGwXWK4

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025

Coyle is known for driving to the net and making himself available for scoring opportunities in the slot. While he has solid hands and is often deployed as a shutdown center, his defensive impact has been inconsistent.

Trade details:

To #GoAvsGo:
D Erik Johnson

To #LetsGoFlyers:
Givani Smith

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 7, 2025

In addition to Coyle, the Avalanche made a sentimental move by reacquiring longtime defenseman Erik Johnson from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Givani Smith. This trade appears to be a favor to Johnson, as Smith struggled to even make the Colorado Eagles lineup in the AHL. Johnson’s return adds a familiar face to the locker room and boosts team morale.

Erik Johnson, acquired by COL, is a veteran depth defenceman. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/M6zrJbJTes

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025

At this stage in his career, Johnson is a veteran depth defenseman who won’t contribute much offensively but provides experience and leadership. However, concerns remain about his availability, as he has played just eight games since his 1,000th career game ceremony in early November.

With these moves, the Avalanche continue to reshape their roster, bringing their season total to at least 48 different players dressed. With the Dallas Stars and other contenders also making significant additions at the deadline, it will be interesting to see how this revamped Colorado lineup comes together for the remainder of the season. Given that the team now has no top-100 draft picks left over the next two years, the Avalanche are fully committed to making a deep playoff run with this group.