The Islanders are trading one of their most beloved players ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline.
Brock Nelson, the longtime center, was dealt by New York, along with William Dufour, to the Colorado Avalanche late Thursday night for Calum Ritchie, a 2026 or 2027 first-round pick, a conditional 2028 third-round pick and Oliver Kylington.
The Isles then dealt Kylington to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.
Fifty percent of Nelson’s cap hit ($3 million) is being retained by the Islanders.
The deal comes at a time when the Islanders are on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. Entering Thursday, New York is just four points out of the final Wild Card spot but has five teams to jump over to make it into the postseason. Nelson was also in the final year of his contract, and GM Lou Lamoriello, after seemingly failing to agree on an extension with the former first-round pick, made the decision to trade the veteran.
This season, Nelson has scored 20 goals with 23 assists (43 points) but has played his best hockey over his last five games. In that span, he has seven points (three goals, four assists).
Over his 12-year career — all with the Islanders — Nelson, an alternate captain to Anders Lee, has played in 901 games. In that time, he’s scored 295 goals with 279 assists (574 points) and is a career plus-9 on the ice.
Ritchie played in seven games for Colorado this season, scoring one goal. The Oakville, Ontario native has played in 215 Ontario Hockey League games, averaging over a point per game with 251 points (85 goals and 166 assists) in 215 games. Ritchie was selected by the Avalanche in the first round (27th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
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