Denver, Colo. - With just $1.2 million in cap space, the Colorado Avalanche were slated to head into this year's free agency period with a bit of a handicap.
Well, not anymore.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun broke news of a trade call that started off sending Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle, who had one year left on his $5.25 million contract, to the Columbus Blue Jackets. LeBrun announced just minutes later that Miles Wood, who still carries a four-year, $2.5 million contract, would also be sent off to Columbus.
In return, Colorado will get the lower of Columbus' two 2nd round picks in 2027, a 3rd round pick in the 2025 draft (which will take place on Saturday, 6/28), and 20-year-old RW prospect Gavin Brindley.
Full trade:
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 27, 2025
To Avs:
Prospect Gavin Brindley
3rd Rd pick tomorrow (77th overall),
conditional 2nd-round pick in ‘27
To CBJ: Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood
No salary retained
As mentioned in LeBrun's post outlining the full trade, Columbus did not retain any salary on Coyle or Wood, which frees up an extra $7.75 million to work with come July 1st. The Avalanche still have a Sam Malinski (RFA) deal to try and work out, but now they can renegotiate some cheaper and better-quality contracts to fill out the rest of the remaining holes on their roster.
Brindley, drafted by Columbus 34th overall in the 2023 NHL draft, spent all of last season with the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus' AHL affiliate. In 52 games, he totaled 17 points (6 goals/11 assists). On the smaller side for a forward at 5-foot-9, he's known to be a reliable presence in the defensive zone and a brilliant puck-mover with excellent vision.
The Estero, Florida native made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets on April 16th, 2024 against the Carolina Hurricanes, just a day after signing a three-year ELC.
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