Brock Nelson and Avalanche Reportedly Have ‘Mutual Interest’ in a New Deal

I wrote this morning about the Avalanche exploring the trade market to fill their second-line center role. Like they did with Brock Nelson (and Nazem Kadri, Ryan Johansen, and Casey Mittelstadt), this team often builds through trades under this current management regime.

But maybe I spoke too soon. What if Nelson re-signs with the Avs and sticks around as their 2C? What if, after all, he doesn’t just end up being a two-month rental? It certainly would help with allowing the Avs to focus their offseason efforts on improving other parts of the lineup.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the player and the team have a mutual interest in keeping the 33-year-old in Colorado.

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

Nelson was acquired at the trade deadline from the New York Islanders in a deal that sent top prospect Calum Ritchie and a 2026 first-round draft pick the other way. Nelson had six goals and seven assists in 19 regular-season games with Colorado. He recorded four assists in the seven-game series against the Dallas Stars in Round 1. He will be 34 in October.

If Nelson were to stick around, it would help stomach the massive overpayment from Chris MacFarland to bring him here as a rental. But I do wonder what the term and cap number would look like for a player like this. The Avs have $8.7 million in cap space with just a handful of roster spots to fill. The second-line center position is their biggest hole in the lineup.

If Nelson winds up leaving, it wouldn’t surprise me if the team goes the trade route for a new center. You can read my story below, highlighting six potential trade targets that can fill the role. The Avs hold Nelson’s negotiating rights exclusively until July 1.

READ MORE: 6 Trade Targets That Could Solve the Avalanche’s 2C Hole (+)