Colorado Avalanche & New York Islanders Linked to Significant Trade

Keep an eye on the New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche, as the two teams have been linked to a trade centered around Brock Nelson and Casey Mittelstadt.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin scribed a recent article outlining potential destinations for Mittelstadt to land, with the Islanders making the list:

Strong in Lou, the denial is. A recent seven-game winning streak has powered the Isles back into the Eastern Conference Wildcard race. At the same time, they’re without their top defenseman in Noah Dobson and top forward in Mathew Barzal, both out indefinitely, with blueliner Ryan Pulock and several other key vets hurt, too. The smart play would be to cash out pending UFA chips Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, but if Lamoriello really wants to hedge, would a Mittelstadt/Nelson swap make sense? It would give the Isles cost certainty with a new second-line center and ensure they don’t lose Nelson for nothing.

Nelson is among the league's most likely players to get moved ahead of the deadline, and with the Avalanche not sold on Mittelstadt as a core piece moving forward, it makes sense for them to make a move and at least bring in a couple of rentals to try and make another Stanley Cup Playoff run this season.

Mittelstadt has recorded 32 points in 55 games this season, and is signed through the 2026-27 season at $5.75 million AAV. He does not hold any trade protection until the final season of his contract. Nelson, on the other hand, carries a $6 million cap hit, he has a 16-team no-trade list, and so far this year, has posted 16 goals and 33 points in 53 games.

Avs/Isles trade could be coming before March 7, both teams align as legitimate trade partners.