Denver, CO – Former University of Michigan hockey captain Nick Blankenburg has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche, bolstering their roster as they push for a Stanley Cup title. The Nashville Predators dealt the 27-year-old right-shot defenseman to the Avalanche on Wednesday, March 5, 2026, in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.
The move adds depth to an already formidable Avalanche defense, even as the Predators continue a clear rebuild, accumulating draft capital for the future. Blankenburg, who has shown offensive upside in recent seasons, is expected to provide valuable support on the Avalanche’s bottom pairing, with the potential to move up the lineup if injuries arise.
Colorado, currently leading the NHL with a record of 41-10-9 and 91 points as of March 5, 2026, according to ClutchPoints, has been active at the trade deadline, signaling their intent to contend for the championship. This acquisition follows the recent addition of Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins, demonstrating a significant overhaul of their defensive corps.
Blankenburg has appeared in 164 NHL games, scoring 16 goals and recording 55 points. He’s having a career year with six goals and 21 points in 49 games for the Predators this season, as reported by The Denver Post. He is in the second year of a two-year, $1.55 million contract.
The Predators, meanwhile, are outside of the playoff picture and are clearly focused on rebuilding their roster. General Manager Barry Trotz has been actively trading away players, including recent deals involving Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild and Cole Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights. This trade of Blankenburg for a draft pick continues that trend, adding to their collection of picks for future drafts.
“Blankenburg is a player that is really going to assist the Stanley Cup favorite Colorado Avalanche, as playoff contending teams always need defensemen,” Sports Illustrated noted in its coverage of the trade.
🔁TRADE:We’ve acquired a fifth-round draft pick in 2027 from Colorado in exchange for defenseman Nick Blankenburg. https://t.co/1gNDnlJ0jx pic.twitter.com/VcdV5Jo2yH
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 5, 2026
Avalanche Defensive Depth
The Avalanche already boast one of the league’s top defensemen in Cale Makar, but have been actively seeking to strengthen their depth. The addition of Kulak and now Blankenburg demonstrates a commitment to ensuring they have capable players available should injuries occur during the playoff run. Colorado has five right-handed shots among their top seven defensemen following the trade, according to The Denver Post.
Predators’ Rebuild Underway
For Nashville, the trade signals a full commitment to a rebuild. After years of middling performance, the Predators are now focused on acquiring assets for the future. The team is currently outside of playoff contention and would likely face a difficult path even if they were to qualify, according to Sports Illustrated.
Blankenburg was a former captain at the University of Michigan, adding a leadership element to the Avalanche locker room. MLive first reported on the trade, highlighting Blankenburg’s collegiate background.
The Avalanche will continue to evaluate their needs as the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 8th. The team may look to add further depth at forward or goaltending as they prepare for a deep playoff run. For the Predators, the focus will remain on accumulating draft picks and developing young players as they embark on a new chapter.
What do you think of the Avalanche’s acquisition of Nick Blankenburg? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
