Brock Nelson #11 of the Colorado Avalanche (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
On the eve of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the New York Islanders dealt pending unrestricted free agent forward Brock Nelson and prospect William Dufour to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 conditional third-round pick, top prospect Calum Ritchie, and defenseman Oliver Kylington.
The conditions on the third-round pick were not met, as the Avalanche qualified for the playoffs. Kylington was later flipped to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.
Nelson, who was on an expiring six-year deal worth $6 million annually, held a 16-team modified no-trade clause. The Islanders’ final offer was believed to be a three-year contract worth approximately $7.5 million per year.
RG can report that the Winnipeg Jets had a deal in place with the Islanders, but Nelson declined to waive his no-trade clause.
Given the package the Islanders received from Colorado—and with GM Lou Lamoriello stating post-deadline, “We had to get back a top prospect”—it is believed that one of Brad Lambert (2022, No. 30), Colby Barlow (2023, No. 23), or Brayden Yager (2023, No. 14 via Pittsburgh) would have been included in the proposed Winnipeg deal, along with draft picks.
- Lambert, a center and nephew of former Islanders coach Lane Lambert, recorded 35 points (7 goals, 28 assists) with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. He has one assist in seven NHL games.
- Barlow, a left winger, tallied 61 points (32 goals, 29 assists) in 62 games with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals.
- Yager, a center acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for Rutger McGroarty, posted 82 points (25 goals, 57 assists) in the WHL, splitting the season between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Ritchie, a center, made the Avalanche roster out of training camp and scored one goal—against the Islanders—in seven NHL games before being returned to Oshawa. He registered 70 points (15 goals, 55 assists) in 45 regular-season games with the Generals.
Nelson’s stint in Colorado was underwhelming. He tallied 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 19 regular-season games but managed just four assists in a seven-game first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Stars.
The 34-year-old is not expected to re-sign with the Avalanche and will likely test free agency on July 1. One potential suitor is his hometown team, the Minnesota Wild.
However, RG can confirm that the Wild did not submit a trade offer for Nelson. Minnesota was navigating cap issues, with star forward Kirill Kaprizov ($9 million) on long-term injured reserve and expected to return before the playoffs.
Although Nelson is from Minnesota, his hometown of Warroad is geographically closer to Winnipeg than St. Paul, where the Wild are based.
Nelson finished the 2024–25 regular season with 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in 80 games.
Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.
