BREAKING: Islanders Trade Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche

The New York Islanders announced they traded Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche just before midnight on Thursday night on the East Coast.

The Islanders acquired F Calum Ritchie, D Oliver Kylington, a conditional 2026 1st-round pick, and a conditional 2028 third-round pick. The Islanders retained 50% of Nelson’s expiring contract and sent William Dufour.

Subsequently, the Islanders just flipped Kylington to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.

Calum Ritchie:

Ritchie is the headliner. Make no mistake about it. The prospect celebrated his 20th birthday six weeks ago as he continues to tear up the OHL. Ritchie was Colorado’s top prospect, and The Athletic ranked him as the #21 prospect in all of hockey amongst drafted players.

Ritchie is a complete can’t-miss prospect with a minimum of top-six written all over him. From the Islanders release: Ritchie played in seven games for Colorado this season, scoring a goal before returning to the Oshawa Generals (Ontario Hockey League). The Oakville, Ontario native has played in 215 OHL games, all with the Oshawa, averaging over a point-per-game with 251 points (85 goals and 166 assists) in 215 games. The 6’2, 195-pound center was selected to the OHL All-Rookie team in 2022. Ritchie was selected by the Avalanche in the first round (27th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Oh, and by the way, he’s NHL-ready for next season. He cracked the Avs lineup out of training camp this year, playing seven games. He scored one goal- against the New York Islanders.

The Rest:

As for the draft picks, here’s the conditions:

If the 2026 1st RD draft pick is transferred to Philadelphia subject to terms of a previous trade, or it is not transferred and is in the top 10 of the 2026 Draft, Colorado will send its 2027 first-round pick to New York.

That condition won’t be met. The 2026 first will go to the Islanders unless the pick falls inside the top 10, in which case the Islanders receive an unprotected 2027 first.

Colorado’s conditional 2028 third-round pick will be met should the Avalanche win the 2025 Stanley Cup & Brock Nelson plays in 50% of Colorado’s games.