The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash Thursday night, acquiring 33-year-old center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.

The Colorado Avalanche made a massive move late in the night on Thursday. The Avalanche traded for veteran center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. This move was a massive one as it involved quite the haul heading back to Long Island.

The Colorado Avalanche have made a plethora of big trades this season. They traded away Mikko Rantanen after contract negotiations fell through and got Martin Necas and Jack Drury in return. After that,

Nelson has 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 61 games this season. The 33-year-old forward led the Islanders in goals in each of the previous five seasons, including scoring at least 34 goals in each of the previous three.

For the first time in his professional hockey career, Brock Nelson is on the move. The Warroad High graduate and former UND star was traded from the New York Islanders to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night — one day ahead of the NHL's trading deadline.

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You knew it the moment that Brock Nelson gave that emotional interview after a win recently: he was going to be traded by the only NHL franchise he's called home in his terrific career.