Colorado Avalanche
· 2026-06-25
The Colorado Avalanche have acquired Zachary L'Heureux as part of a trade, betting on his potential to fill a role in their lineup.
L'Heureux has strong defensive numbers as a winger and plays a hard-nosed game that often pushes the boundaries of what's acceptable.
He has been suspended at every level he's played, including 39 games worth of suspensions during his career.
L'Heureux models his game after players like Brad Marchand, embracing the villain role and thriving as an agitator.
He is still learning how to walk the fine line at hockey's highest level, but his style makes him an intriguing fit in Colorado.
The Avalanche are currently standing 1st in the Western Conference with a 55-16 record, on a W3 streak, after losing 2-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights on 2026-05-27.
L'Heureux's arrival gives the Avalanche both depth and cost certainty, with a cap hit of $875,000 for the next two seasons.
He also brings penalty-killing experience, which should translate well to Colorado given Jared Bednar's preference for utilizing depth forwards in defensive situations.
L'Heureux split last season between the AHL and NHL, recording 14 goals and 14 assists in 30 games with Milwaukee and four goals and one assist in 21 games with Nashville.
The trade is unlikely to be the final move of the Avalanche's offseason, and it may not even be the last significant change to the forward group.
L'Heureux's combination of defensive responsibility, physicality, and agitation gives Colorado a different look in its bottom six.
The acquisition also further clarifies the roster picture, with L'Heureux and fellow acquisition Fedor Svechkov requiring waivers to be assigned to the AHL.