The New York Islanders have dealt one of their veteran forwards. News came down in the wee hours of Friday morning that the Islanders have completed the Brock Nelson trade. Nelson was sent to the Colorado Avalanche along with William Dufour. Moreover, the Isles receive forward Calum Ritchie, defenceman Oliver Kylington, and a couple picks. The draft picks include a first rounder in either 2026 or 2027 and a condition 2028 third rounder. This move signifies a significant roster change in Long Island. In a further announcement, Kylington was then moved to the Anaheim Ducks, in exchange for future considerations. Kylington hasn’t played much in the NHL this season. However, he is an option as a depth defender for Anaheim.
The New York Islanders have acquired forward Calum Ritchie, a first-round selection in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, a conditional third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, and defenseman Oliver Kylington from the Colorado Avalanche, in exchange for Brock Nelson and William Dufour.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 7, 2025
New York Islanders Make Brock Nelson Trade
Nelson has played exclusively for the Islanders during his 12-year NHL career. The 33-year-old has 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points in 61 games so far during the 2024-25 campaign. Through all situations, he has a Corsi for 51.3% and a relative Corsi of 2.4.
The Warroad, Minn. native has 295 goals and 279 assists for 574 points in 901 career games. New York originally drafted Nelson in the first round, 30th overall of the 2010 NHL Draft. Nelson played his college hockey at the University of North Dakota and had a 28-goal season in 2011-12.
He has represented his native United States at the international level. Nelson has won bronze at the 2011 IIHF World Juniors and at the 2015 IIHF World Championships. The veteran forward was also on the Team USA roster for the most-recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. He did not record a point in four games played.
What It Means
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello looks like he’s going to make some big changes. Many thought Nelson would be an Islander for life. However, reality doesn’t always afford that.
Lamoriello knew that he could get some assets for Nelson at the deadline. The Islanders did play better after the New Year, but time has run out and the hill was to big to climb. New York is working on making over its roster and unloading Nelson gives the team some new assets. Calum Ritchie brings along some upside as an NHL prospect. The 20 year old only has seven career games under his belt. In contrast, the 2023 Avalanche first-round selection will get time to develop with the Islanders.
For the Avalanche
Nelson can now be part of a team seeking post-season glory. He’s been a great player on both ends of the ice and can help out with the leadership group. This could be a solid pickup at the deadline and help reconfigure the Avs lineup. They have been doing lots of roster shuffling including having shipped off Mikko Rantanen.
They also picked up Dufour, who has still been playing in the minors mostly. Adding him just brings in a bit of organizational depth, rather than a direct impact on the NHL roster.
Main photo by: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
