In a move aimed at bolstering their prospect pool and gaining salary cap flexibility, the Colorado Avalanche have traded veteran forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, the Avalanche receive forward Gavin Brindley, a third-round pick (No. 77 overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. The trade was announced on Friday, June 27, 2025.
"We are very excited to welcome Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets family," said Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell. He further added, "Charlie is an experienced, two-way player that adds size and versatility to our group, while Miles is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL who provides great energy and physicality. Beyond being outstanding players, both are high-character people who will fit in perfectly with our group and what we are building here in Columbus."
Coyle, 33, is a veteran center who has played for the Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, and Avalanche. Last season, he recorded 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 83 games split between the Bruins and Avalanche. Colorado acquired Coyle in a trade on March 7, 2025. He had one goal in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Avalanche. Coyle carries a $5.25 million average annual value (AAV) and has one year remaining on his contract. Selected 28th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2010 NHL Draft, Coyle has accumulated 485 points (189 goals, 296 assists) in 950 regular-season games and 53 points (26 goals, 27 assists) in 126 playoff games.
Wood, 29, is a speedy winger who signed a six-year, $15 million contract with the Avalanche on July 1, 2023. He has four years remaining on his contract with a $2.5 million AAV. In 37 regular-season games with Colorado this season, Wood tallied eight points (four goals, four assists) and played in one playoff game without recording a point. Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth round (No. 100) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Wood has 182 points (91 goals, 91 assists) in 513 regular-season games for the Devils and Avalanche, along with five goals in 25 playoff games.
Heading to Colorado is Gavin Brindley, a 20-year-old forward who was Columbus' second-round pick (34th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft. He played one game with the Blue Jackets this season and also played 52 games with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists). Brindley is described as a "tenacious forechecker" and is viewed as a solid addition to the Avalanche's prospect pool.
The Avalanche, by shedding Coyle's and Wood's salaries, gain $7.75 million in cap space, providing them with much-needed flexibility ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have a significant amount of cap space and are looking to improve after narrowly missing the playoffs last season. Acquiring Coyle and Wood adds experience and depth to their roster.
