Avalanche acquire Juuso Parssinen, pick from Predators for Ondrej Pavel, pick

On Saturday, the Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Juuso Parssinen and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Nashville Predators. In return, the Predators receive forward Ondrej Pavel and a 2027 third-round pick.

The pick the Avs are getting is the New York Rangers’ seventh-rounder.

Both players have spent time both in the NHL and the American Hockey League. Parssinen split his first two pro seasons in North America going back and forth between the Predators and their primary affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. The 23-year-old has spent the entire 2024-25 campaign with the Preds, though he has only played 15 games so far. Parssinen has scored two goals and three assists for five points but hasn’t been in the lineup since Dec. 10.

Parssinen is on a one-year contract with a cap hit of $775,000. He will become a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights.

In 104 career NHL games, Parssinen has scored 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points. In 46 AHL appearances, he has notched nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points, including 12 points in 23 Calder Cup Playoff games.

Pavel has been with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles all year, having played just 14 games thus far, registering a pair of assists. The 24-year-old was dealing with an injury during training camp and was placed on injured reserve in November. Pavel returned to the Eagles lineup last week, having played two games since.

The former Minnesota State hasn’t had a ton of experience in the NHL, only appearing in two games for the Avs last season.

Pavel is in the second year of a two-year contract with an NHL AAV of $950,000. He will also become an RFA at the season’s end with arbitration rights.

In 77 AHL games, Pavel has scored six goals and six assists for 12 points.