The Tampa Bay Lightning were likely to lose a few players again, and they began their annual summer purge today with Ross Colton being shipped out to the Avalanche. Colton comes into a spot recently vacated by the trade of Alex Newhook, and with a few other players departing via free agency, the Avalanche have at most five healthy forwards ahead of Colton on the depth chart – four if Valeri Nichushkin's uncertain legal situation takes him out of action.

What the Avalanche Get:

Ross Colton has thus far been a quality third-line player, who can shift to any of the forward positions, and play on any special-teams unit.  

Colton is four years older than Newhooks, and a lot more defensively responsible, however, both are primed to hit their breakout thresholds this year. Colorado gained an extra pick and added the more responsible player, sacrificing a chance at upside to do so. Thus far, Colton's best season say him pace for 40 points, and he did so playing in under 13 minutes per game. With some more ice time, and his breakout due, he's someone that should be worth targeting as a 45+ point player moving forward, rather than the 35-to 40-point player he has been thus far.

On top of that, Colton should breese past 200 hits this year with a little extra ice time, and brings average or better production in just about every other peripheral category as well.

What the Lightning Get:

Flexibility. They can either use the bit of cap space freed up to make one last pitch to Alex Killorn, who they would very much like to keep, or they can use the cap and roster space to help strengthen the bottom-half of the lineup with some cost-effective options. If the top-half of the roster is healthy this year, then they won't miss Colton too much.

Players this helps:

Ross Colton

Nick Paul/Tanner Jeannot – More frequent occasional exposure to the top-six.

Players this hurts:

No one really.