The Colorado Avalanche sent a 2026 third-round draft choice to the Minnesota Wild for forward Brandon Duhaime

The Colorado Avalanche stayed busy ahead of the March 8 Trade Deadline, sending a 2026 third-round draft pick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Brandon Duhaime. 

The 26-year-old forward is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and currently carries a $1.1 million contract. Duhaime is one of only five members of the Wild who has appeared in all 62 games for the Wild this season, scoring four goals and eight points with a minus-seven rating. 

While point production is not his strong suit, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward will serve as a valuable fourth-line asset for the Avalanche in the postseason, allowing his teammates to catch their breath while wearing down the opposition. 

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The acquisition adds a gritty forward to the squad, who has already racked up 155 hits this season after moving on from forward Kurtis MacDermid only a matter of days ago. Duhaime should fit nicely on the fourth line but has shown the ability to play on the third line, should they need to adjust their bottom-six forwards. 

Before appearing in the NHL, Duhaime began his professional career with the AHL's Iowa Wild from 2019-2021, registering 12 goals, 29 points, and 103 penalty minutes through 87 games. 

Duhaime has appeared in 193 career games over three seasons with the Wild, scoring 19 goals, 35 points, and 230 penalty minutes from 2021-2024.