Colorado Avalanche Re-sign Brock Nelson To 3 Year Extension

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed center Brock Nelson to a three-year extension worth 7.5 million per season. Multiple reports were stating that Nelson wasn’t going to re-sign from Colorado, but here we are. This move sets the market for free-agent centers in the NHL, and it has many effects on the offseason. 

A Premium Position Just Got More Expensive 

The $7.5 million average annual on Nelson’s new deal is slightly more than projected. The expectation was Nelson would sign for somewhere in the three-year, $7 million per season range. We shouldn’t blame Colorado for making this move, as they needed a second-line center behind Nathan MacKinnon. The price tag is a little eye-opening for the simple fact that Nelson is 34 years old and didn’t set the world on fire after the trade deadline. 

The center position is always going to demand more money due to the nature of the position. You’re expected to be the most responsible with the puck on both ends of the ice. Brock Nelson had 6 goals and 9 assists in 19 games with Colorado. This could’ve been a “we need to keep this guy because the other options will be more expensive” move for Colorado instead of a “we need to keep Nelson specifically” move. 

Brock Nelson Set the NHL Center Market 

Sam Bennett, Brock Nelson, and John Tavares were seen as the top centers on the free-agent market. Now that Nelson is off the board, Tavares and Bennett will ask for much more than 7.5 per season. Tavares is a veteran who’s been consistent throughout his career, so unless he takes a discount he could ask for anywhere between 8-9 million per season. 

Sam Bennett, is the premier free-agent center. He’s currently in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Florida Panthers and is having a monster postseason. Bennett has 10 goals, and 6 assists in 17 games played. Whoever signs Bennett must overpay, because if Nelson got more than he was projected, imagine what Bennett is going to want. It shouldn’t be a surprise if Bennett receives more than 10 million per season. 

Last Thoughts 

Brock Nelson got a very nice deal with Colorado. Looking forward, the deal will probably look okay with the salary cap increase and the price tags of the other centers on the market. 7.5 million per season won’t be bad for a center who can give you 20-25 goals a season.