ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 11: Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson (11) lines up for a face-off during second period of an NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild on March 11th, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Brock Nelson signs 3-year, $22.5 million extension with Colorado Avalanche
  • The $7.5 million AAV makes Nelson second-highest paid on Avs roster
  • Read below for contract details and what this means for Colorado’s cap situation

The Colorado Avalanche locked up their deadline acquisition, signing center Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension worth $22.5 million.

Nelson’s $7.5 million cap hit puts him second on the Avalanche payroll, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million AAV. The 33-year-old was set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1.

“My family and I are excited to be staying in Colorado,” Nelson said in the team’s announcement. “We knew this was where we wanted to stay.”

Trade Paying Off

Colorado paid a hefty price for Nelson at the deadline, sending a 2026 first-round pick, top prospect Calum Ritchie, and defenseman Oliver Kylington to the New York Islanders.

In 19 regular-season games with the Avs, Nelson posted six goals and 13 points. He added four assists in their seven-game first-round loss to Dallas.

“He’s been a great center in this league for a long time,” GM Chris MacFarland said. “We think he’s a great fit and is a stabilizing presence to our second-line center role.”

Career Islander Finds New Home

Nelson spent his entire career with the Islanders organization before the March trade. The 2010 first-round pick racked up 295 goals and 574 points in 901 games wearing blue and orange.

His best years came during back-to-back runs to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2020 and 2021. Both times, the Islanders fell to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Minnesota native finished this season with 26 goals and 56 points between both teams. It marked the first time since 2020-21 he didn’t hit the 30-goal mark.

Cap Crunch Looming

With Nelson’s deal on the books, Colorado has just $1.2 million in projected cap space, according to PuckPedia.

The Avalanche still have decisions to make on pending free agents Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Lindgren. Defenseman Sam Malinski remains their lone restricted free agent on the NHL roster.

Nelson’s extension suggests Colorado views him as a key piece for their championship window alongside MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, and Cale Makar.