In the middle of a game? No problem for the Colorado Avalanche!

News broke during the third period of Colorado's game against San Jose that the Avalanche have acquired forward Brock Nelson and forward prospect William Dufour from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenseman Oliver Kylington, forward prospect Calum Ritchie, a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. The Islanders are retaining 50% of Nelson's contract, per Pierre LeBrun.

Per the PR email sent out by the Avalanche, here are the conditions set forth for the 2028 3rd rounder:

If the 2026 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, then Colorado will send its 2027 first-round pick to New York. Colorado’s conditional 2028 third-round pick will be met should the Avalanche win the 2025 Stanley Cup and Nelson plays in at least 50% of his team’s playoff games.

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Brock Nelson has played his entire career in Long Island. He has just registered a 20-goal campaign (43 total points) in 61 games with the Islanders this season. In 12 seasons in the NHL, the 6'4" forward has registered 574 total regular season points.

William Dufour has registered 18 points in 45 games played with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) this season.

Oliver Kylington, who was almost immediately flipped to the Anaheim Ducks for Future Considerations, was a 2024 free agency signing for the Avalanche. 

Calum Ritchie, a first-round draft pick for Colorado in 2023, played in 7 games with the club at the beginning of the season before returning to the OHL to play with the Oshawa Generals.