NHL Rumors: Formers Islanders Player Reveals Why Team Traded Devon Toews
When the New York Islanders dealt defenseman Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche in October 2020, many fans were stunned.
Toews, then just 26, was shipped out for two second-round picks in a move driven largely by cap pressures. Former teammate Cal Clutterbuck recently admitted on Spittin’ Chiclets that while the trade wasn’t shocking inside the locker room, it came down to a numbers game. With Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech anchoring the Isles’ top shutdown pairing, the organization prioritized keeping its established core intact.
What the hell were the Islanders thinking trading Devon Toews?
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) August 23, 2025
Turns out Cal Clutterbuck knows, because he wasn’t shocked at all from the trade.https://t.co/n8cWnMLDrh pic.twitter.com/1zB6CIB1ra
Toews Thriving in New Home
In hindsight, the decision looks far worse.
The Islanders have struggled to replace Toews’ puck-moving ability, while Toews has blossomed into one of the NHL’s premier defensemen beside Cale Makar. He signed a seven-year, $50.75 million extension with Colorado, won a Stanley Cup in 2022, and has logged multiple 50-point seasons. Clutterbuck praised Toews’ skating, first pass, and steady two-way play, calling him the perfect partner for Makar.
His defense-first instincts free Makar to unleash his offensive brilliance, forming one of the league’s most dominant blue-line duos.
The unsung hero of the Avs blueline!
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 13, 2025
Devon Toews is 1⃣7⃣ on our list!@Avalanche | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/3nlyOCr1xv
The trade also triggered ripple effects for New York, including salary dumps of Andrew Ladd and Nick Leddy, and left the team searching for puck-moving replacements until recent additions like Mike Reilly and Adam Boqvist. Meanwhile, Colorado has enjoyed years of elite stability on its back end.
Photo Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
