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It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re just a day away from the Stanley Cup Final, but we’re already thinking about the off-season. Teams that were eliminated for the tournament are trying to figure out how to move forward. Some clubs took some big swings at the deadline. However, most of those clubs came up empty in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
One team that made some bold moves was the Colorado Avalanche. This edition of NHL rumours with them possibly bringing back a trade deadline acquisition.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period gave an update on contract talks between the Avalanche and Brock Nelson. Pagnotta stated that both sides have mutual interest in a contract extension.
There appears to be mutual interest from both the Avalanche and Brock Nelson in exploring a new contract. How that may look is too early to tell, but Nelson is open to that possibility and talks between the Avs & his agent are expected to pick up in June.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 29, 2025
Analysis: Nelson came over from the New York Islanders at the trade deadline. The veteran forward was part of a trade involving highly-touted prospect Calum Ritchie and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. It was a high price to pay for Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland and the team was eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars.
Avalanche fans were worried that Nelson would only be a rental. However, it seems that both sides might want to continue this partnership. This would make the hit of losing Ritchie and a first-rounder an easier pill to swallow.
Nelson did collect six goals and 13 points in 19 games with the Avalanche. Colorado had designs on a championship, but Dallas thwarted the Central Division rivals. He was held without a goal during the seven-game series, but managed four assists for the Avalanche.
It wasn’t the ending both sides wanted, but both parties have designs on wanting to add another Stanley Cup. An extension could give both sides what they want.
The Avalanche do hold the exclusive negotiating rights for Nelson until July 1. Both sides can make a deal happen, but one wonders how much the cap hit will be. Colorado comes into the off-season with $8.7 million in salary cap space, but only have a handful of roster spots to fill up before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Colorado needs to solve the problem of finding a second-line centre and Nelson could be a solution. The Avalanche need depth down the middle and extending the Warroad, Minn. native might be the easiest solution. Nelson carried a cap hit of $6 million in his previous deals with the Isles, but one wonders what his next contract may look like.
Questions about term and money need to be sorted out before things move forward. Would Nelson be willing to take less money to stay on a contender? Does he settle for a mid-range deal in regards to term? These are things MacFarland and Nelson will have hash out.
If extension talks do fall through, the Avalanche will likely have to enter the trade market in order to fill the void at the second-line pivot spot. MacFarland and Colorado would likely have to give up something of value in order to land that coveted second centre.
Main photo by: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Longtime sportswriter for the Watertown Daily Times. I have covered minor league and NCAA hockey in women’s Division I and men’s Division III. Also produce the nationally-syndicated Spadora on Sports radio show.
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