The Avs have traded defenseman Ian Cole to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Greg Pateryn.
Colorado will retain $800,000 of Cole’s $4.25 million in salary.
Ian Cole, 31, is on the last year of a three-year deal signed with Colorado in 2019. The pending unrestricted free agent was expected to dress in Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings on the third pair with Conor Timmins.
Avs coach Jared Bednar was expected to use veteran blueliner Erik Johnson as a seventh defenseman. Johnson will now likely play on the third pair with Timmins.
Pateryn, also a pending unrestricted free agent, has two assists in three games with Minnesota this season. The 30-year-old is making $2.25 million this season.
The Avs clear $1.25 million in cap space in this deal.