Brock Nelson wasn't the only player the New York Islanders parted ways with in their trade with the Colorado Avalanche.
BREAKING: Islanders Trade Brock Nelson To Avalanche In Blockbuster Move
After trying to retain the aging goal scorer, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders">New York Islanders</a> have traded Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche:
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello also included forward William Dufour, whom he drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft.
I heard that Dufour was having a tough go of things in Bridgeport, struggling in his third professional season, like many of the players on their roster.
Some players can overcome the obstacles and the losing, but it sounds like Dufour was struggling to do that, understandably so.
There was word that he could be on the move at the trade deadline, as it was clear that he needed a fresh start elsewhere.
Dufour isn't a lost cause, but at this point, it was hard to think he was on track to be an NHLer with the Islanders. So, unlike maybe in years past where the Islanders held on to question-mark prospects, Lamoriello made him a piece in a deal that helped them bolster their prospect pool and draft capital.
You know, instead of losing them (Kieffer Bellows, Oliver Wahlstrom) for nothing.
Dufour has a ton of talent, and the potential that he can put it all together was likely intriguing for Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland and Joe Sakic, the team's president of hockey operations.
Especially with moving their top prospect, Calum Ritchie, they'll hope Dufour can be something.
Get To Know Islanders Newcomer Calum Ritchie After Trade With Avalanhce
The New York Islanders have traded Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche, and the return was a valuable haul, headlined by top prospect, Calum Ritchie:
The potential is there.
After tearing up the QMJHL with the St. John Sea Dogs (56 goals, 60 assists in 66 games) in 2021-22, Dufour's goal-scoring prowess kept him in the back of every Islanders fan's minds.
But, if Dufour were going to make it to the NHL, he'd need to improve his skating.
That was one of the major flaws that stood out in Dufour's cup of tea in the NHL, one game against the Boston Bruins during the 2022-23 season, a game he never should have played in to begin with.
After scoring 21 goals with 27 assists in 69 games to begin his professional hockey career, Dufour tallied 15 goals with 10 assists in 55 games.
His skating was exponentially better when he came to training camp this season. However, the results in Bridgeport have not been good, leaving the organization with just eight goals in 45 games this season, with 10 assists.
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