Colorado Avalanche Shakes Up the Market: Coyle and Wood to Columbus
In a strategic move that shook the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche finalized a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. The operation involved forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, freeing up crucial space in the salary cap just before the NHL Draft. In return, the Blue Jackets sent forward Gavin Brindley, the 77th overall pick in this year’s draft, and a conditional 2027 second-round pick to Colorado. Coyle, 33, arrived at the Avalanche from Boston during the NHL trade deadline. In 19 regular season games, Coyle accumulated 2 goals and 11 assists, and added a goal in 7 games during Colorado’s first-round loss to the Dallas Stars. Coyle, who plays center, had a minus-4 rating in the series. He is in the final year of a 6-year contract with a cap hit of $5.25 million and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Wood, for his part, recorded 4 goals and 4 assists in 37 games with Colorado, averaging a playing time of 11:21 per game, the lowest of his career. A back injury kept him out of action for part of the season. Wood is under contract until 2029 with a salary cap hit of $2.5 million.Brindley, 20 years old, was selected 34th overall in 2023, coming from the University of Michigan. After playing one game with Columbus in 2023-23, he spent the entire past season with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. Brindley won a gold medal with the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing second on the team with 10 points in seven games. After this trade, the Avalanche now has just under $9 million in cap space.“Charlie is an experienced, two-way player who brings size and versatility to our group, while Miles is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL who provides great energy and physicality. Besides being outstanding players, both are people of great character who will fit perfectly with our group and what we are building here in Columbus.”
Don Waddell, General Manager of Columbus
