The New York Rangers won’t have to worry about facing Brock Nelson when they take on the New York Islanders on April 10.
Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello officially conceded the team’s slim playoff chances on Thursday night, dealing the highly coveted center and minor-league forward William Dufour to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, the Islanders received 20-year-old forward Calum Ritchie, a first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, a conditional third-round pick in 2028, and defenseman Oliver Kylington. Shortly after, the Islanders flipped Kylington to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.
New York reportedly retained 50 percent of Nelson’s salary cap hit. The 33-year-old is in the final season of a five-year contract with a $6 million average annual value and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Reports indicate he declined a three-year extension worth over $7.5 million AAV, prompting the trade.
The Islanders (28-26-7) entered Friday trailing the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference by four points. Unlike last season, when a late push propelled them into the playoffs due to struggles from other teams in the East, they now face a tougher climb. Four teams, including the Rangers, stand between them and that last postseason berth. The Islanders, who kick off a three-game California road trip against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, are also missing their most electrifying forward, Mathew Barzal, who has been sidelined since Feb. 1 and recently underwent surgery on his left kneecap.
The Rangers (31-26-5) and Ottawa Senators (31-25-5) are currently tied with 67 points in the battle for the second wild-card spot ahead of their matchup at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday afternoon. However, Ottawa holds the advantage with a game in hand.
Nelson, selected 30th overall in the 2010 draft, has been a key trade discussion for weeks.
He ranks fourth in Islanders history with 901 games played and sits fifth with 295 career goals. Despite enduring a 17-game goal drought, he has managed 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) this season after three consecutive campaigns of 34 or more goals. In Colorado, he is expected to slot into a highly skilled top-six forward group, likely centering the second line behind NHL scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon. He also has experience playing on the wing, a role he recently took on for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off last month.
“On the majority of the trade boards I followed, he was the number one player on the market,” said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar on Friday. “Finding quality centers is tough, and he’s definitely a strong player.”
Brock Nelson joins two former Rangers looking to help Avalanche win Stanley Cup
Nelson was named the First Star on Tuesday after the Islanders triumphed over the league-leading Winnipeg Jets 3-2 at UBS Arena. The 12-year veteran became emotional during a post-game interview when discussing the significance of playing on Long Island. Little did he know, it would be his final game in blue and orange.
“I’ve had discussions with Lou [Lamoriello], and I’ve been upfront,” Nelson said after the game. “My focus has truly been on playing here, doing everything I can to help us win.”
Nelson brings a dependable two-way game, a quality that excites Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar as his team battles for playoff positioning. Colorado holds the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference and is tied in points with the Minnesota Wild for third place in the Central Division after a dominant 7-3 win over San Jose at Ball Arena on Thursday. Nelson is expected to make his Avalanche debut on Saturday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“He’s always been a reliable 200-foot player,” Bednar said. “If you look at his track record, he’s been a consistent 30-goal scorer most years. Landing a player of his caliber isn’t easy, and I think he’s a fantastic addition to our team.”
Just last Saturday, Colorado made another move, acquiring pending free agents Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey from the Rangers. Lindgren has already impressed Bednar with his play, logging just under 21 minutes per game in his first two outings with the Avalanche. Vesey made his debut in Thursday’s win over San Jose, finishing with a minus-1 rating in just over 13 minutes of ice time.
While first-round picks are valuable—especially for a team seemingly entering a rebuilding phase—the centerpiece of this trade for the Islanders may be Calum Ritchie. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound center is a smart, skilled playmaker who’s on pace for his second consecutive 80-point season in the Ontario Hockey League. After starting the season with the Avalanche and scoring once in seven games—including a goal against the Islanders on Oct. 14—he was sent back to Oshawa, where he leads the team with 67 points (14 goals, 53 assists) and boasts a plus-33 rating through 41 games.
Recognized for his high hockey IQ, exceptional playmaking, sharp on-ice vision, and strong footwork, Ritchie is still developing physically.
As an alternate captain for Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship, Ritchie was selected by Colorado in the first round (No. 27) of the 2023 draft and was widely considered the Avalanche’s top prospect. In the future, he could form a promising duo with Cole Eiserman, the Islanders’ first-round pick in the 2024 draft. Eiserman has netted 19 goals in 32 games as a freshman at Boston University and played a key role in Team USA’s gold-medal run at the World Juniors.
For now, Ritchie is expected to remain with Oshawa, which has already secured a spot in the OHL playoffs. However, he will likely compete for a roster spot with the Islanders at training camp this fall.
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