Full trade grade and analysis: New York Islanders land big haul in Brock Nelson deal

Looking at the New York Islanders’ return for Brock Nelson

The centerpiece in the return for Nelson is Calum Ritchie. Ritchie was the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round pick in 2023. The 20-year-old Ritchie made the Avs out of camp this season. However, he was clearly not ready for the NHL. In seven games, he scored one goal.

While he wasn’t expected to light up the scoreboard in his first season, it was evident that Ritchie seemed out of place at times. So, the Avalanche sent Ritchie back to Junior for his final year. He’s currently playing with the Oshawa Generals where he’s put 14 goals and 53 assists in 41 games this season.

Ritchie will likely get a shot at making the Islanders next season as he is now the Isles’ top prospect. He’s a high-end playmaker and should inject some much-needed youth into a relatively aging lineup.

The first-round pick is exciting as it comes in next year’s draft, one believed to be the deepest in years. However, it’s a conditional pick that could slide into 2027. I think it’s 50/50 for the Islanders to hold on to the pick. If the right deal comes along, the Isles could flip it.

As for Oliver Kylington, he was clearly a cap dump. The Avalanche needed to get rid of his $1 million cap hit just to clear space to fit Nelson into the fold. Kylington was immediately to the Anaheim Ducks for some guy named “future considerations.”

The third-round pick in 2029 is conditional on the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup this season and Nelson playing in 50% of playoff games, meaning a lot will need to go right for the Isles to control that pick.

All told, this trade was a home run for the New York Islanders. Instead of getting fleeced, they made out with a solid return. Ritchie looks like he could be a solid middle-six forward, while the first-rounder, whether the Isles keep it or not, holds plenty of value.

It’s tough to lose Brock Nelson, but at the end of the day, getting so much out of nothing is a major achievement for the Isles. They get an A for this trade.