The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline late Thursday night by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. The move came hours after the Western Conference rival Vegas Golden Knights reacquired winger Reilly Smith in a deal with the New York Rangers.

The New York Islanders have already made a big move on Thursday, as they have sent Brock Nelson along with William Dufour to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington, a pair of first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and a conditional pick in the third round of the 2028 NHL draft.

Brock Nelson was traded to the Colorado Avalanche by the New York Islanders on Thursday for defenseman Oliver Kylington, forward prospect Calum Ritchie, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a conditional third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

With Jack Hughes done for the season, the New Jersey Devils were one of the primary suitors for top trade candidate Brock Nelson. However, the prospect of Nelson going to New Jersey can now be forgotten.

The New York Islanders, unable to reach agreement on a contract extension for Brock Nelson, dealt the veteran forward to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Nelson and forward William Dufour were dealt in exchange for defenseman Oliver Kylington,

Kylington, Calum Ritchie, a conditional first-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round selection were acquired by the Islanders from Colorado on Thursday in exchange for William Dufour and Brock Nelson.

Colorado sent top prospect Calum Ritchie, a conditional first-round pick (2026 or 2027), a conditional 2028 third-round pick and defenseman Oliver Kylington to the Islanders in exchange for Nelson and AHL forward William Dufour. The Islanders later dealt Kylington to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.

The Avalanche have acquired Brock Nelson of the Islanders, the most coveted center available ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline.