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Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson celebrates his goal (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

Brock Nelson the Key to Avalanche’s Cup Hopes

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Ryan Womeldorf | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 11:25 AM ET

Despite facing a bit of adversity going into the Olympic break, things are back on track for the Colorado Avalanche. With a soft schedule to close out the regular season, the hope is that the Avalanche can be fully healthy and continue peaking at the right time.

While the Avalanche are the deepest team in the league in nearly every measure, there is one player who can have the biggest impact of all in the playoffs: Brock Nelson. There are a few factors that direct more responsibility his way and he needs to take the ball (or puck, as it were) and run with it.

The Superstars Will Get the Most Attention

The Avalanche felt a little top-heavy until they acquired Nelson last season. It took him some time to acclimate, but he has been one of the best players on the team this season. In the playoffs, the bulk of the attention from the opposition will go toward shutting down Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas.

The matchups will be tougher for those three, which leaves Nelson with an opening. If he can make teams pay for diverting too much attention to the superstar trio, it will make them adjust their strategy. Nelson could be the key to opening up the ice for his star teammates.

MacKinnon and Makar were great during the 2022 Cup run but haven’t had the opportunity for a deep run since. Their production has been good but not up to their usual standards. If Nelson can make life hell on the opposing defense, it could give the stars the room they need to flourish.

Kadri isn’t 2022 Kadri

A lot was made of the trade that brought Nazem Kadri back to town, and rightfully so. After all, his departure following the 2022 Cup win left a glaring hole at the 2C spot. What most Avalanche fans need to remember is that this isn’t the same Kadri that left for richer pastures.

Kadri is now 35 years old. He’s had a couple of good seasons in Calgary, but his production is down three years running. He hasn’t been in a playoff game since leaving Colorado. To expect him to be that same guy would be foolhardy.

With Kadri either sliding to wing or playing third-line center, Nelson now becomes the catalyst 2C. He and Kadri have different games, but Nelson can impact the game at both ends of the ice and that’s what needs to happen if the Avalanche want to have a deep run.

Nelson Needs to Step Up

Nelson has arguably been “the guy” for the Islanders but has never had a truly sterling playoff run. The closest he’s come is the 2020 playoffs, in which he scored nine goals and registered 18 points in 20 games.

Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson celebrates his goal with defenseman Devon Toews and defenseman Josh Manson against the Vancouver Canucks (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

A big part of the first-round loss to the Dallas Stars last season is because Nelson couldn’t have the same impact Kadri had. He finished with four assists but largely felt like a non-entity, particularly in elimination games.

Nelson has to show up on the score sheet in a bigger way. Yes, he will play sound defense. Yes, he will win big faceoffs. But in order to be a truly effective second-line center, he needs to start making the opposition pay. If he can do that, the Avalanche will be incredibly dangerous.

Can He Be a Difference-Maker?

Provided Makar can return to full health, this will be perhaps the deepest, most talented Avalanche team ever. They have been constructed to win in the playoffs, and a big part of that structure is the presence of Nelson and his (as of now) 33 goals.

If he can find a way to get on the score sheet more consistently, it will only make the Avalanche that much tougher to beat. If he is a ghost again, then life will be a lot tougher with a likely second-round matchup against the Stars looming.