The Colorado Avalanche are adding some depth on the blue line.
Colorado acquired defenceman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick on Wednesday, the teams announced.
Blankenburg, 27, is in the midst of a career-best scoring season, having compiled six goals and 21 points across 49 games for Nashville. The right-shot American has averaged 17:58 of ice time per contest in his second season with the Predators while posting a minus-11 rating.
He signed with Nashville on a two-way, two-year contract in the 2024 off-season after beginning his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Over five NHL seasons, Blankenburg has 16 goals, 55 points and 58 penalty minutes in 164 career games.
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Blankenburg will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
But first, he will look to help the NHL-best Avalanche chase a Stanley Cup. Colorado currently leads the league with 91 points and a 41-10-9 record.
