There were high hopes for Ross Colton this year as he was part of the “Roaring 20s” line last season. The hope was that he would find that magic once again with Logan O’Connor and Miles Wood, but it never came to be. Injuries forced head coach Jared Bednar’s hand to split the line up and put Colton on a higher line.

Colton played on the second line as center to start the season and did a fantastic job. Through the first ten games of the year, Colton had nine points. On October 28th against the Chicago Blackhawks, Colton blocked what appeared to be a harmless shot with his foot. Unfortunately, Colton suffered a broken foot and missed the entire month of November.

Colton came back and was never the same after he suffered the injury. Before the injury, he was a regular on the first power play unit. After the injury, he mostly saw time in the second unit.

Colton’s most memorable moment of the season came on January 9th against the Minnesota Wild. Late in the first period, the Wild went behind their own net to wait for a change. As soon as the Wild tried to get out from the net, Colton stole the puck and slipped it past Filip Gustavsson. Right after that, Colton turned and made a face of complete shock.

Colton could only play one game during the playoff because of a groin injury. His return was to be in the second round, should the Avalanche have defeated the Dallas Stars. He ended the season with 16 goals and 13 assists in 61 regular season games.

Colton could be a cheap option for the second center if the Avalanche need to use him there. He was most productive at that position early in the season and he benefits from increased ice time.

Colton has two more years remaining on his contract until he will be an unrestricted free agent. His salary cap hit is four million, and he has a modified trade clause that will start on July 1.