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The Nashville Predators<\/a> have made another trade<\/a>, sending defenseman Nick Blankenburg to the Colorado Avalanche on March 4.<\/p>\n The Predators<\/a> received a 2027 fifth-round pick in return for Blankenburg, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The full remainder of his $775,000 salary will go to the Avalanche in the deal.<\/p>\n Blankenburg, 27, played in 49 games for the Predators this season, scoring six goals and 15 assists. In two seasons with Nashville, Blankenburg has played 109 games as a regular contributor on the blueline.<\/p>\n Signed as a free agent in 2024, Blankenburg emerged as a consistent two-way defenseman after injuries to Roman Josi and Luke Schenn. His partnership with Brady Skjei was the team’s best defensive pairing last season and it led to another big role in 2025-26.<\/p>\n This is the third trade general manager Barry Trotz has made this week. On March 3, he sent Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild for a 2028 second-round pick and Cole Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2028 third-round pick.<\/p>\n With the trade, the Predators now have 32 picks<\/a> in the next three drafts.<\/p>\n