Parenteau followed up his success in the 2011–12 season, producing 49 assists and 67 points to finish third amongst the Islanders in scoring. Colorado Avalanche On July 1, 2012, Parenteau signed, as an unrestricted free agent, to a four-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche. With the lock-out-shortened 2012–13 season delaying his Colorado debut, Parenteau later scored his first goal for the Avalanche in a 3–1 home opening victory over the Los Angeles Kings on January 22, 2013. He scored in the Avalanche's first four home games, becoming the first Avalanche to do so since Peter Forsberg and Chris Drury in 2000–01. On February 14, 2013, in a 4–3 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild, Parenteau appeared in his 200th career NHL game. In participating in every game for the Avalanche that season, he recorded a career-best points-per-game average to lead the team with 18 goals and co-lead, alongside linemate Matt Duchene, with 43 points. Montreal Canadiens On June 30, 2014, Parenteau was traded, along with a fifth-round draft pick in 2015, to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Daniel Brière. In the 2014–15 season with the Canadiens, Parenteau was hampered by injury and occasions of healthy scratches, to finish with an output on 22 points in 56 games. On June 28, 2015, Parenteau was placed on unconditional waivers by the Canadiens for the purpose of buying the final year of his contract out. Having cleared waivers, the next day he was formally bought out and released to free agency. Toronto Maple Leafs Following his buyout, Parenteau signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2015. Parenteau cited head coach Mike Babcock as the main reason for the signing. The two had previously worked together within the Mighty Ducks organization more than a decade earlier. Parenteau's year in Toronto was arguably his best season since 2012–13 season as he finished second in team scoring and first for goals scored on a rebuilding Maple Leafs team that finished last place in the NHL. Parenteau's play lead him to be included among lists of most likely players to be traded come the February 29, 2016, trade deadline, however, the Maple Leafs were unable to move Parenteau, likely due to an injury suffered a few days prior. As the season came to an end, Parenteau spoke highly of his time in Toronto, saying it was "the best I've felt in