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What the Avalanche's early exit meant for the Brock Nelson trade with NY Islanders

Nelson was held without a goal during Colorado's seven game series with the Dallas Stars
Apr 2, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson (11) waits for a faceoff during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
Apr 2, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson (11) waits for a faceoff during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images | Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

What a Game 7 meltdown and one that impacted the New York Islanders.

The Colorado Avalanche blew a 2–0 third-period lead last night, losing to the Dallas Stars in heartbreaking (and frankly shocking) fashion. The game will go down in lore as the "Mikko Rantanen Revenge Game," but for Islanders fans, it’ll be remembered for something else: the night the Isles officially won the Brock Nelson trade, even if it meant Colorado kept an asset.

Let’s rewind and let's explain, shall we.

At the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the Islanders dealt longtime center Brock Nelson to the Avalanche in a blockbuster move. In return, the Isles landed: Top prospect Calum Ritchie. Veteran defenseman Oliver Kylington (traded to Anaheim for future considerations), a conditional first-round pick in 2026 or 2027, a conditional third-rounder in 2028 — only if Colorado won the Cup and Nelson played in at least 50% of their playoff games

Welp. The Avs didn’t win the Cup. Nelson played all seven games, but Colorado’s run is over in Round 1. The third-rounder stays in Denver. To be fair, Brock wasn’t bad. He put up 13 points (6G, 7A) in 19 regular-season games with Colorado. But in the playoffs? Just four assists in seven games, and held off the scoresheet entirely in five of them. Not what you’d hope for from a high-end rental brought in to push you over the top.

Meanwhile, the Islanders have a blue-chip forward prospect in Ritchie, who could soon center one of their top lines in the not-so-distant future. A future first-rounder. And a clear win on the trade board. Former Isles GM Lou Lamoriello reportedly tried to extend Nelson before the deal. Brock wanted more. So Lou cashed out, and in hindsight, absolutely nailed it. Could you imagine if Nelson had agreed to an extension? It would have been a disaster for the organization.


Colorado paid premium deadline prices for a deep run and flamed out early. The Islanders, meanwhile, are sitting on a restocked cupboard, thanks to forced savvy asset management and a little playoff luck. In this game of risk and reward, the Isles were viewed as the team that came out on top before the post-season, but even more so now after Colorado's early exit.

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