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7.5 M per season for Nelson: The Habs will have to avoid the free agent market

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 1:32 PM ET

Last March, one day before the NHL trade deadline, the Avalanche acquired Brock Nelson.

The veteran, who had spent every year of his career with the Islanders, had arrived in Colorado with the goal of helping the team win in the playoffs.

But the plan didn’t work.

Nelson was even disappointing in the playoffs: he didn’t score a single goal in seven games, he collected just four assists… and it’s not as if he was super smokin’ in the regular season either with the Avalanche (13 points, including six goals, in 19 games).

On the other hand, the player did enough to sign a three-year contract extension valued at… $7.5M per season.

That’s a lot of cash for a player who has surpassed the 60-point plateau only twice in his career – and who will turn 34 in October.

Colorado re-signs Brock Nelson at 3 x $7.5M https://t.co/UrTzZOcPxp

– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 4, 2025

Ultimately, Jonathan Drouin can’t be too happy about this news.

The Avalanche won’t have enough money to offer him a new deal… and all indications are that the Québécois is now on his way out.

But the Canadiens can’t be happy about this news either.

Kent Hughes would like to make a big splash this summer, and obviously, if he wants to do it on the free agent market, it’s going to be expensive. Very expensive.

The ceiling is going to go up and we know it. But if Brock Nelson has signed for $7.5 million… the other players are going to see this contract to give themselves a base.

And we all agree that the contracts awarded during the summer on the free agent market are often dangerous because clubs aren’t afraid to spend…

Looking at all this, maybe Kent Hughes will say to himself that it would be better for him to improve his club via the transaction market if he wants to get his hands on a top-quality player.

I’m not saying that the Habs GM should absolutely avoid the free agent market, because there are depth players who will be available this summer too.

That said, Nelson’s contract shows that the price will be high to sign a guy with talent.

And in that context…

Overtime

– News from CF Montreal.

In addition to Vrioni, who remains inside (foot?), we note that Jalen Neal – with a brace on his left knee – is doing some solo work.

At least Bryce Duke is on the field. He’s still walking barefoot on the lawn. #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/L69ZIifT74

– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) June 4, 2025

– Fair enough.

Brad Marchand enjoying a ‘special’ moment with Stanley Cup Final return – as his free-agent stock soars

By@reporterchris https://t.co/yA47EQe6ak

– Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 4, 2025

– I like this.

“If I can win the Masters, then the Leafs can win the Stanley Cup,” said Rory McIlroy, after getting a Maple Leafs sweater from MLSE CEO Keith Pelley.

– Bob Weeks (@BobWeeksTSN) June 4, 2025

– It starts tonight!

Panthers forecheck vs. Oilers mobile D: The matchup that will likely decide the Stanley Cup final. My latest for@TheAthletic https://t.co/nQuVGwk9Ui

– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 4, 2025