Jack Drury Traded to Predators, Avalanche Acquire L’Heureux, Svechkov from Nashville

The Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators made a trade on Wednesday. The Avalanche are acquiring forwards Zachary L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov from the Predators in exchange for center Jack Drury, prospect Chase Bradley, and a 2029 third-round pick.

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Colorado, who claimed the Presidents’ Trophy this season with a dominant 55-16 record, adds two young forwards to their lineup. L’Heureux, 22, was Nashville’s 13th overall pick in 2022 and brings a physical, high-energy presence to an Avalanche lineup that can use more grit on the wing. Svechkov, also 22, was taken 19th overall in 2021 and offers elite skating and offensive skill, with flashes of legitimate top-six upside throughout his early NHL career.

In return, Nashville receives Drury, a reliable 24-year-old two-way center with strong defensive instincts, a young prospect in Bradley, and a future draft pick — assets that fit a Predators franchise clearly pivoting toward a rebuild after finishing 38-34 and out of playoff contention this season. Both are RFAs and Drury is coming off a contract that paid him $1.725 million last season. He had 10 goals and 27 points in 82 games.

“Jack Drury is a hard-working, reliable, full-sheet of the ice center who can handle the tough assignments while being elite in the face-off circle,” MacFarland said. “His addition to our forward group bolsters our depth in the middle of the ice, and we’re thrilled to have him on our roster. We’re also excited to add Chase Bradley – another young forward who’s had some NHL experience – to our overall organizational depth at forward.”

This is GM Chris MacFarland doing another deal with his former team. MacFarland left the Avalanche and became President and GM of the Predators this offseason.

This looks like a pretty fair deal overall. L’Heureux should be a solid addition for the Avalanche, offering a higher upside than Drury and the benefit of longer team control. He also brings plenty of grit and physicality, although he has at times pushed things too far.

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