Confirmed with Link: Avs acquire C Brock Nelson (50% retained) + F William Dufour for F Cal Ritchie + D Oliver Kylington + 2026 1st + Cond. 2028 3rd

[shadow1]

I was optimistic Colorado would win the Nelson bidding war but you don't know until it happens. Huge home run swing adding the best scorer available at the deadline, gives this club a legitimate chance at another Stanley Cup. Huge price to pay, but by the time Ritchie reaches his prime, the Avalanche will be cooked. Hope MacFarland is able to sign him, the Stamkos deal ($8x4) might be a comparable.

 

[featherhawk]

Gudas to Colorado would be a match made for a deep cup run...

 

[Richard88]

Gudas to Colorado would be a match made for a deep cup run...

Why are y'all bringing his name up, is he rumoured to be available or something?

 

[attilatheislander]

One thing about Nelson that doesn't appear on the stat sheet is he can get under people's skin in the playoffs. In a couple series I witnessed an opponent go ape sh!t on him for no obvious reason. I think he talks a lot of trash. The only time I understood an outburst against him was this punk move tapping the goalie's helmet after a goal. Good luck. I'll be rooting for you.

 

[featherhawk]

Why are y'all bringing his name up, is he rumoured to be available or something?

I did not bring it up, someone else did and yes I would have to imagine that Gudas would be available as they have Trouba who can accomplish many of the same things Gudas did, now to be fair, perhaps not the same extent in all attributes....that in addition to the young D core that the ducks have seeing Lacombe an emerging stud and Mintyukov...and Helleson and Zellweeger, one of which has been rotating in the press box on most nights...

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Why are y'all bringing his name up, is he rumoured to be available or something?

I blame Bob Ross for this one lol

Gudas wouldn't be a fit here, the backend needs guys that can pass the puck and skate with it, especially with Lindgren already added

 

[impaaaaaact]

Isles fan coming in peace. You got a good one! Some Nelson stuff in case you guys are interested

- His overall numbers are down this year, but not at 5v5. He's on pace for 42 points at 5v5; last two years he had 44 and 40. It's our team's abysmal PP that has put a damper on his numbers this season, but make no mistake, he's the same 70 point center he's been the last few seasons. The decline has not started.

- He is big, but he does not play big. He's not soft, just don't expect a Tkachuk. He will not be hitting people or scrapping in the paint for rebounds. He is not a power forward, and just gets labeled that in video games or whatever because he's tall.

- What he will do is score goals out of nowhere in unremarkable situations. He's a sniper. Doesn't need to be an odd man rush, doesn't need to be a power play, doesn't really need to have a clean look. He will put the puck in the net, period. And that being said, when he does get a chance on the rush it feels like he's about 50/50 to score. He won the target competition at the ASG a couple of years ago - that was not a fluke.

- All signs have been that he might want to finish his career in Minnesota. He's part of a hockey legacy, as his grandfather won US Gold at the Olympics in 1960 and his uncle was on the Miracle on Ice team. I think Guerin putting him on the 4 Nations team was either like a sign of respect to his Minnesota hockey family, or part of an overture to get him to the Wild... or both. Either way, I think signing him longterm will be an uphill battle - he already lives just outside Minneapolis in the offseason. What better way to cement your family's legacy than to be part of the first Minnesota team to win a cup?

Anyways, good luck... we're all going to be rooting for you this postseason (and it's not about the 2028 third).

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

So... He can't wear 29. He can't wear 92. Looks like he's worn 21, 8, and 11 for team USA. He can't wear 21 or 8, so I'll say he rocks #11.

 

[MacKaRtin]

I'm sure a ton of Dallas fans were back then like "you have to be an absolute idiot to do such trade", but in the end, I can't say either team really lost the trade.

No way this is true. Back in 1995, Dallas fans be like, "Why do they stop playing when the puck goes all the way down the ice?"

 

[MacKaRtin]

That'd be nice but how many years does Nelson actually have as a good center? I assume he's looking for a retirement contract that takes him into his late 30s.

Late 130s you mean?

 

[kchan9]

The last time we acquired someone wearing #11 at the deadline...

 

[jaisen73]

I like this trade no matter what happens in the off-season. Priority in July has to be Necas to an extension but if you get Nelson to 3-4 year at a reasonable cap hit? That will make this trade even better.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

"Avs don't trade 1st rounders" -HFAvs a few years ago
"Avs don't win bidding wars" -HFAvs a few hours ago
"Our GM does nothing but sleeps" -HFAvs everytime Sakic/CMac hasn't made a move in a few days
"Avs clearly don't value C position" -HFAvs for years

The biggest balls in the league: Sakic and CMac. Especially the latter one, the guy is playing EASports this year and we should love everything about it.

CMac has had his bad moments. RyJo gamble, trusting Georgiev to start the season of 24-25, Byram for Mittelstadt isn't looking too hot right now.. but everytime he has made mistakes, he has been active in fixing 'em. And CMac doesn't seem to give up - when Miller wouldn't waive to come here, he locks into next target in Nelson. He has a vision and works until it's fulfilled.

I don't want to hear any of the four sentences anymore. Blaa blaa blaa. Our management means business, even if they're not perfect - they're still smart and good at this thing. I love this duo of Sakic and CMac.

Very good post. The only thing I disagree with you is I wouldn't blame CMac for the Mitts trade. 95% of the people here were behind this trade. An except for the term vs the dollar amount everybody were very happy with him being our 2C entering this season.

As for the Nelson trade.....it's a big price to pay but this is the TDL for you guys. Prices are always very high especially for Cs. This guy was the top C available so you have to pay to get. Ritchie was not going to help us this year and next year to win a Cup. I like Ritchie a lot but my expectations on him did go down a bit at the WJC although I think some of his problems was playing with Cowan who was very selfish with the puck and therefore rendering Ritchie ineffective.

You guys know by now that when it comes to trading very good assets for me it is all about the return. Well....in this case the return is extremely good. He should fits here very well. His acceleration is still top notch which is what is important in Bednar's system. Top end speed not so much. Nelsen between Nuke and Drouin should be a very good match. This team needed another scorer and we just got that also.

As for trading Mitts I am on the fence. I really like our C depth right now and trading him before knowing if Nelson will extend is very dangerous. We could end up with no 2C again next season. However as we just noticed the 2C market is crazy this TDL so there is certainly an argument about taking advantage of this and get a very good return for him for something that would fit this team better.

Imagine now if Landy comes back as well at 80-85%. This team would be so deep.

 

[Richard Doll]

At the time, the Byram for Mitts trade made sense, and last year, and the beginning of this year, it was working out.

Can't fault CMac for Mitts suddenly disappearing.

Very good post. The only thing I disagree with you is I wouldn't blame CMac for the Mitts trade. 95% of the people here were behind this trade. An except for the term vs the dollar amount everybody were very happy with him being our 2C entering this season.

As for the Nelson trade.....it's a big price to pay but this is the TDL for you guys. Prices are always very high especially for Cs. This guy was the top C available so you have to pay to get. Ritchie was not going to help us this year and next year to win a Cup. I like Ritchie a lot but my expectations on him did go down a bit at the WJC although I think some of his problems was playing with Cowan who was very selfish with the puck and therefore rendering Ritchie ineffective.

You guys know by now that when it comes to trading very good assets for me it is all about the return. Well....in this case the return is extremely good. He should fits here very well. His acceleration is still top notch which is what is important in Bednar's system. Top end speed not so much. Nelsen between Nuke and Drouin should be a very good match. This team needed another scorer and we just got that also.

As for trading Mitts I am on the fence. I really like our C depth right now and trading him before knowing if Nelson will extend is very dangerous. We could end up with no 2C again next season. However as we just noticed the 2C market is crazy this TDL so there is certainly an argument about taking advantage of this and get a very good return for him for something that would fit this team better.

Imagine now if Landy comes back as well at 80-85%. This team would be so deep.

 

[Ceremony]

- All signs have been that he might want to finish his career in Minnesota. He's part of a hockey legacy, as his grandfather won US Gold at the Olympics in 1960 and his uncle was on the Miracle on Ice team. I think Guerin putting him on the 4 Nations team was either like a sign of respect to his Minnesota hockey family, or part of an overture to get him to the Wild... or both. Either way, I think signing him longterm will be an uphill battle - he already lives just outside Minneapolis in the offseason. What better way to cement your family's legacy than to be part of the first Minnesota team to win a cup?

Alternatively - What better way to cement his legacy than by leaving the green filth in the lurch and winning multiple cups in burgundy? I know what I'd choose.

 

[SaltySkywalker]

He’s like Bouchard for me. Dude looks 45

 

[Snow Arc]

n/m

 

[Murzu]

Very good post. The only thing I disagree with you is I wouldn't blame CMac for the Mitts trade. 95% of the people here were behind this trade. An except for the term vs the dollar amount everybody were very happy with him being our 2C entering this season.

As for the Nelson trade.....it's a big price to pay but this is the TDL for you guys. Prices are always very high especially for Cs. This guy was the top C available so you have to pay to get. Ritchie was not going to help us this year and next year to win a Cup. I like Ritchie a lot but my expectations on him did go down a bit at the WJC although I think some of his problems was playing with Cowan who was very selfish with the puck and therefore rendering Ritchie ineffective.

You guys know by now that when it comes to trading very good assets for me it is all about the return. Well....in this case the return is extremely good. He should fits here very well. His acceleration is still top notch which is what is important in Bednar's system. Top end speed not so much. Nelsen between Nuke and Drouin should be a very good match. This team needed another scorer and we just got that also.

As for trading Mitts I am on the fence. I really like our C depth right now and trading him before knowing if Nelson will extend is very dangerous. We could end up with no 2C again next season. However as we just noticed the 2C market is crazy this TDL so there is certainly an argument about taking advantage of this and get a very good return for him for something that would fit this team better.

Imagine now if Landy comes back as well at 80-85%. This team would be so deep.

Oh yeah, I was behind the Byram for Mitts trade, 100%. Mitts just suddenly started sucking, can't blame CMac for that.

 

[Snow Arc]

 

[SaltySkywalker]

CMac is not fvcking around.

All y'all wanted center depth, now we have it. All y'all wanted a VG+ 2C, now we have one. All y'all wanted sound defense, getting Kylington off the roster solidifies the back end. All y'all didn't want to waste MacKinnon and Makar's prime years, this trade is for you. All y'all will be mesmerized by "Baby Face" Nelson and Nuke on the second line, nobody has a defense that will contain those two.

Lord Stanley is coming home to Denver.

Amen, y'all.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Win a cup for him lads!

 

[UncleRisto]

Paging @UncleRisto

Exquisite.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Rehabguy]

Sad to see Nelson go. You guys got an elite sniper on your hands. Great 2 way center. Great on both PP and PK. If left in the open that wrist shot of his is money in the bank. He’s not a sloppy scorer playing the odds. He shoots with the intention to hit the back of the net when he wants and where he wants. I’d be very happy if I were an Avs fan. He’s a game breaker and don’t let his chronological age fool you. He still can skate like a twenty something. Hope you guys win the Cup with him unless by some grace of god the Isles meet you in the playoffs. Good luck!

 

[Avs_19]