Brock Nelson kicked off his NHL journey when the New York Islanders picked him 30th overall in the 2010 Draft. During his 12 seasons with the Islanders, he really became a key player for the team, racking up 295 goals and 279 assists over 901 games. He kept up his great performance, which got him an alternate captaincy and a spot in the All-Star game in 2023. Even though he made some great contributions, talks about extending his contract hit a snag, which ultimately led to him being traded to the Colorado Avalanche right at the 2025 trade deadline.

The Islanders got back forward William Dufour, defenseman Oliver Kylington, and promising prospect Calum Ritchie, plus some conditional draft picks in the deal. During his time with the Avalanche, Nelson made quite an impression. He played in 19 regular-season games and managed to score 6 goals along with 7 assists. In the playoffs, he had 4 assists over 7 games, and one of those plays was crucial—it helped set up Gabe Landeskog’s first goal in three years.

The Avalanche saw his worth and decided to sign Nelson to a three-year contract extension, which is worth $7.5 million each year ($22.5 million in total), keeping him on the team until the 2027-28 season.

Brock Nelson shared his excitement about staying in Colorado on X, as reported by analyst David Pagnotta. He said, “My family and I are excited to be staying in Colorado. Having spent my entire career with one organization, we weren’t totally sure what to expect when we arrived in Denver. But getting the opportunity to play for the Avalanche, to compete with a great group of teammates in that locker room, and in front of the tremendous fans at Ball Arena, we knew this was where we wanted to stay.”

This move marks an exciting new chapter for Nelson as he shifts from being a long-time Islander to becoming an important part of the Avalanche’s lineup, looking to help the team achieve future successes. He really showed how adaptable he is and how much he brings to the team’s offense. Even though the playoff run was tough and he managed to get four assists in seven games, it was clear that both Nelson and the Avalanche were interested in continuing their partnership.

The hockey forward’s dedication to the Avalanche shows a bigger story of an experienced player discovering fresh motivation and a sense of belonging in a new team setting. Staying in Colorado really highlights the great vibe and competitive energy that the Avalanche organization creates, which definitely connects with both the players and the fans. But what did the GM say about this extension?

Excited to have Brock Nelson on the team

Colorado Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland is really excited about bringing Brock Nelson on board for the next three seasons. He emphasized the veteran center’s professionalism and versatility, saying, “We’re thrilled to have reached an agreement with Brock to keep him in Colorado for the next three seasons. He’s been a great center in this league for a long time, and he brings professionalism and a dedicated work ethic on and off the ice. We think he will be a great fit and will be a stabilizing presence to our second-line center role with his size and ability to touch all areas of the ice. We’re excited to see what his contributions will be over a larger sample size with the Avalanche.”

MacFarland pointed out how much experience Nelson has and how he consistently performs in the NHL, mentioning his knack for contributing well in different game situations. He highlighted Nelson’s physical traits, like his size and skating skills, which really make him a key player in both offense and defense.

The GM mentioned that Nelson is expected to play a key role in stabilizing the team’s second-line center position, bringing some much-needed balance and depth to the lineup. MacFarland really seemed to believe that bringing Nelson on board would boost the team’s competitiveness and help everyone work together better in the seasons ahead. We’ll just have to wait and see how he adjusts to his new team.