Ross Colton returns to Amalie Arena after finding new home with Avalanche
TAMPA — Ross Colton now wears another uniform, and on Thursday, he sat in a different locker room. But he will always have a place in Lightning history.
Colton, who now plays for the Avalanche, was a home-grown product who cracked his way into a veteran–laden Lightning lineup during the 2020-21 season and ended his first NHL campaign by scoring the winning (and only) goal in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final for the Lightning’s second straight championship.
Like many players from those Cup-winning teams, the Lightning couldn’t afford to keep him. This season, two other players from those teams who served as mentors for Colton — Alex Killorn and Pat Maroon — played their first games back at Amalie Arena as opponents and were emotional during video tributes that drew standing ovations.
“I don’t think mine will be as dramatic as those guys,” Colton said before Thursday’s game. “Those guys have been here for a long time.”
But you scored one of the biggest goals in Lightning history, was the response.
“It was a great memory,” Colton said with a smile. “I think about it a little bit (coming back).”
Colton was a different kind of salary cap casualty. The Lightning had to let him go before his age-27 season. He was a middle-round draft pick who served his time in the AHL and was the only significant rookie contributor on the 2021 Cup team. He was supposed to be a part of the team’s young core going forward before his performance priced him out of staying.
“He’s kind of how it’s supposed to work: had been with the organization his whole career and came up through the minors, paid his dues, worked his way up and then found himself playing in the Stanley Cup final and scoring one of the most iconic goals in Lightning history,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “So he’s cemented his place in this organization and everything that’s gone down in Tampa.
“The thing that’s hard for us is these core players ... you want them to go and get paid and kind of reap some of the benefits of what they’ve done in their career. But you just kind of wish it was with us. But I’m glad he’s having success (with Colorado). And he’s a phenomenal kid and was a great teammate and adored by all our guys.”
Colton had already played the Lightning earlier this season in Colorado, which he said felt weird. “The whole game I kind of just felt off, not myself. It’s just different being on the other side of the guys, and they’re my friends.”
On Wednesday, Colton spent the evening with his old teammates at Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh’s place.
“I’ve definitely been looking forward to it,” Colton said. “Just a lot of great memories. A lot of good friends on the other side that I still talk to, keep in touch with.”
Midway through the first period Thursday, Colton’s video tribute played, the cheers growing when his Game 5 goal was played, and he waved to the crowd and clapped to them in acknowledgement.
In the second period, Colton earned the assist on Colorado’s tying goal to make it 2-2, setting a career high in assists with 18.
Colton said he thought his time with the Lightning was coming to an end when he sat down with general manager Julien BriseBois for his exit interview. Colton was due for a significant raise in restricted free agency.
“I kind of got the sense that it was probably going to be the end of it. He was just thanking me for everything,” Colton said. “Obviously it was a great run, but it’s a business.”
Just before June’s draft, Colton was traded for a second-round pick (37th overall) that was used to draft center Ethan Gauthier. Colton received a major raise, and a lot of security, signing a four-year deal with Colorado with an average annual value of $4 million. His last deal with the Lightning earned him an an average annual value of $1.125 million.
Much like his years with the Lightning, Colton gets to learn from some of the league’s top stars, playing with center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar. When he first arrived in Avalanche camp, he was asked how he’d get along with forward Logan O’Connor after the two had a few scraps during the Stanley Cup final in 2022.
“It’s funny because he’s honestly one of my best friends on the team since I’ve been here,” Colton said.
On the ice, Colton is getting the opportunity to play second-line center. He’s averaging a career-high 14:01 ice time and is on pace for a career high in points
“I’m just trying to play my game; I think I’m getting more of a role,” Colton said. “Obviously, I’m playing center full time now. So just really learning how to play in all three zones, kind of builds my confidence, especially on the defensive side of the puck. So just work on that as much as I can. And like I said before, just trying to learn from the superstars that we have in this room.”
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