<p>DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche reacquired Patrik Nemeth, trading a fourth-round pick to the Detroit Red Wings for the veteran defenseman.</p>
<p>The teams announced the deal Friday night. Detroit received Colorado’s fourth-rounder in 2022.</p>
<p>Nemeth spent two seasons in Colorado from 2017-19. He had 25 points — four goals, 21 assists — in 142 games in an Avalanche sweater. </p>
<p>The 6-foot-3, 228-pound Nemeth was big presence in front of the net when he was in Colorado, leading the team in blocked shots with 185 in 2017-18. He joins a young but talented blue line that includes Samuel Girard, Cale Makar and Bowen Byram, who was added Friday to the list of players unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols.</p>
<p>Colorado is currently without veteran defenseman Erik Johnson. He’ been limited to four games this season due to a lower-body injury</p>
<p>Nemeth appeared in 13 postseason games while in Colorado. He led the team in average ice time and hits during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.</p>
<p>The 29-year-old Nemeth had two goals and six assists this season for Detroit. The eight points were third among Red Wings defensemen.</p>
<p>Nemeth was originally a second-round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2010 draft. He has seven goals and 49 assists in 353 career games. </p>
<p>Before coming to America, Nemeth suited up in the Swedish Hockey League for four seasons.</p>
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