The trade deadline is less than 48 hours away and the Avalanche’s front office is still trying to improve its roster.
Among the positions they’re looking to shake up is the second-line center spot, where Casey Mittelstadt has struggled for most of the season, albeit he scored a big goal on Tuesday.
According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic, the Avs are among a long list of teams interested in Brock Nelson if Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders decide to move him. All signs are pointing in that direction, but it’s still not yet guaranteed.
Brock Nelson situation still in flux. No guarantee still that Lou Lamoriello trades him although that seems to be developing as most likely option.
Minnesota, Winnipeg, New Jersey, Colorado, Toronto among long list of teams with interest. But there are others.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 6, 2025
Nelson, 33, is in the final year of his current contract and carries a $6 million cap hit. The 6’4, 205 lb centerman has 20 goals and 23 assists while appearing in all 61 Isles games so far this year. He’s spent the entirety of his career with the franchise that drafted him in the first round in 2010.
Nelson was a teammate of Devon Toews when the Islanders made a run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2020. Toews was traded to the Avs that offseason and Nelson again helped New York to the third round in 2021.
If he’s on the market, Nelson would likely be the best centerman available for trade. While other teams are also looking to shore up their center depth, the Avs might be the only team with a capable center that could be sent back the other way.
Mittelstadt, who is just 26 years old, has struggled to hold down the No. 2 center spot for the Cup hopeful Avalanche. It’s been a disappointing season for him. He had six goals and seven assists in the first 10 games but has since seen his production take a nosedive. Mittelstadt has five goals and 16 assists in the last 52 games.
That includes the game-winner against Pittsburgh.
An emotional first star Brock Nelson discusses his @nyislanders big win over the league leading Jets and what it’s meant to wear an Islander jersey his entire career. #Isles | @Shannon_Hogan pic.twitter.com/hr3DyFhYgE
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) March 5, 2025
Mittelstadt makes $5.75 million for two more seasons after this. It’s unclear if the Islanders would even be interested in him. Any deal for Nelson would likely include a first-round draft pick, which the Avs have in 2026 and beyond.
