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Brock Nelson, New York Islanders (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Grading the Avalanche and Islanders’ Brock Nelson Trade

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Ryan Womeldorf | Last updated Mar 7, 2025 8:24 AM ET

Coming into the trade deadline, many anticipated a big move (or two) from the Colorado Avalanche. They had already addressed a crucial area of need earlier in the season with a pair of trades, acquiring Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood in separate deals.

As it turns out, the Avalanche had a very busy Thursday night both on the ice and off. The Avalanche dominated the San Jose Sharks on the ice and then went out and made one of the biggest moves of the trade deadline to this point.

In a blockbuster move, the Avalanche acquired forward Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. It is a move that makes the Avalanche deeper and stronger, something that has been a desire of both brass and the fanbase throughout the season. Let’s break down the trade and see how both sides did.

What the Avalanche Got

The Avalanche acquired 33-year-old Brock Nelson as the featured piece in this deal. Nelson entered the season as a pending unrestricted free agent, having spent the entirety of his 12-year career on Long Island. The 30^th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Nelson has been a solid two-way center capable of 30 goals or more.

It was no secret that the Avalanche desperately needed a boost to their forward ranks. A trade near the deadline last season to acquire Casey Mittelstadt has not paid dividends in the way the Avalanche had hoped for. He has been mired in a horrific slump for much of the season and the team needed to find an answer.

The Avalanche get an excellent two-way forward with offensive pop and a bit of grind to his game. Nelson is defensively responsible, can slot in on the second line, and provides a bit of leeway for Mittelstadt to find his game again. The Avalanche got significantly better with this deal.

What the Islanders Got

Going back to Long Island is a package including an NHL-ready defenseman, a prospect, and a pair of picks. The Avalanche sent defenseman Oliver Kylington, prospect Calum Ritchie, a first-round pick in either 2026 or 2027, and a conditional 2028 third-round pick back to the Islanders.

The first-round pick is standard fare in deals like these, but the biggest piece going back is Ritchie. The 27^th overall pick in 2023, Ritchie quickly became one of the best prospects in a relatively shallow prospect pool for the Avalanche. He didn’t look out of place in a seven-game trial with the Avalanche earlier this season before ultimately going back to the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

The Islanders are clearly moving in the direction of a rebuild. The Islanders are four points back of the Ottawa Senators for the second wild card spot, but the prevailing feeling is that sneaking into the playoffs is the ceiling for this club. They get a great haul for a guy who was probably leaving, setting the table for the future.

How Nelson Fits With the Avalanche

The Avalanche got exactly what they were looking for in Nelson. He is as legitimate a 2C as it gets, someone who will make a noticeable impact on a team like Colorado. In New York, he flew under the radar because of the relative lack of success the team has had.

Brock Nelson, New York Islanders (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Nelson is elite when it comes to creating chances, he can score with regularity, and does a lot of the small things that make a difference. Nelson is 27^th in the league at points-per-60 at 5-on-5 this season, hanging around names like Jack Eichel and Nico Hischier.

It is more than likely that he will slot in with Jonathan Drouin and Valeri Nichushkin as linemates. That is a tough, dangerous, and skilled second line and one that can compete with just about any second line in the NHL. It’s a hefty price to pay, but one that seems worth it on paper.

Trade Grades

The million-dollar question – “Who won this trade?” – won’t be answered until after the playoffs. If the Avalanche can make a run, the grades get even better. Here is an early assessment of how the two teams made out:

Avalanche Grade: A

Islanders Grade: A+

The Islanders got a haul for a popular veteran while the Avalanche got significantly better in their biggest area of need. Things can and will change as the season progresses, but the Avalanche now have an extremely formidable top-six, their goaltending is shored up, and they are ready to make a run for their fourth Stanley Cup.