PuckSleuth
11Cap hit
$7.5M
7.2% of $104M cap
Term
2 yrs
Through 2027-28, then UFA
Clause
NMC
Surplus value
+$247K
vs. $7.747M market estimate
Confirmed by the public signing announcement · source
2026-27 regular season
GP
2
Goals
1
50.0% shooting
Assists
2
2 primary
Points
3
1.50 per game
TOI/GP
17:43
PP 2:11 · PK 3:34
Plus/minus
0
Hits
0
Blocks 1
PIM
0
Game Score
+1.32
per game
Game log
Last 5 games · NHL API
| Game | G | A | SOG | HIT | BLK | TOI | PP | PK | FO | OZS% | GV | TK | +/- | GS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 3 vs STL · W 6-1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16:11 | 2:01 | 2:42 | 10-8 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.21 |
| Sep 30 vs LAK · W 8-4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19:14 | 2:21 | 4:26 | 3-11 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2.42 |
| May 26 @ VGK · L 2-1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 19:18 | 0:40 | 2:06 | 8-10 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.16 |
| May 24 @ VGK · L 5-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19:02 | 0:48 | 2:00 | 8-6 | — | 0 | 0 | +1 | +0.22 |
| May 22 vs VGK · L 3-1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 18:06 | 0:35 | 1:28 | 9-8 | 75 | 2 | 0 | -2 | -0.04 |
GS = our Game Score (credit for everything he did; goals and assists count most). FO = faceoffs won-lost. OZS% = share of his 5v5 offensive and defensive zone faceoff starts that were in the offensive zone. GV/TK = giveaways/takeaways.
Advanced metrics
5v5 unless noted · 2025-26 · 1,076 min · percentile vs. NHL forwards
98th percentile
71st percentile
98th percentile
96th percentile
65th percentile
96th percentile
93rd percentile
99th percentile
75th percentile
89th percentile
90th percentile
45th percentile
66th percentile
55th percentile
735 won · 724 lost (all strengths)
xGF% is his team's share of 5v5 expected goals while he was on the ice, from our own expected goals model; HDCF% counts only high-danger chances (xG of 0.15 or more). IPP is the share of his team's 5v5 goals while he was on the ice that he scored or assisted on. Relative stats compare him with his team when he was off the ice. Goals above expected and ixG/60 use his own shots at all strengths. PDO and OZS% describe luck and deployment, so their bars are grey.
Play styleElite zone entry facilitator
Trait percentiles vs. NHL centers · 2025-26
Nelson gets the puck into dangerous areas with exceptional speed and efficiency, generating a 59.6% expected goals share at 5v5. He thrives in the slot and mid-range but offers little physicality or defensive coverage, making him most valuable in offensive situations.
- Shooting volume
- 70
- Playmaking
- 57
- Zone entries(est.)
- 95
- Forechecking
- 19
- Physicality
- 23
- Defensive impact
- 42
- Puck management
- 51
- Speed
- 71
Where he shoots from
Slot 56% · Mid-range 40% · Perimeter 4%(269 unblocked shots)
Strengths
- Zone entries in the 95th percentile turn offensive chances into quick scoring opportunities
- 70th percentile shooting volume with 56% of shots from the slot
- Above-average speed at 71st percentile allows him to drive play at 34 years old
Watch-outs
- Forechecking at 19th percentile limits his value on defensive assignments
- Physicality in the 23rd percentile means limited net presence and engagement
- Defensive impact at 42nd percentile shows he doesn't drive defensive play consistently
Similar style: Nate Danielson (DET), Mikael Granlund (ANA)
Built from play-by-play, shift data, and NHL EDGE tracking. Zone entries is an estimate (rush chances while he is on the ice) until tracking data is added.
Career stats
From the NHL's player records
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | High-MN | Warroad | 31 | 14 | 9 | 23 | — | — |
| 2007-08 (playoffs) | USHS-MN | Warroad High | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 0 |
| 2008-09 | High-MN | Warroad | 31 | 45 | 36 | 81 | — | — |
| 2008-09 (playoffs) | USHS-MN | Warroad High | 3 | 6 | 5 | 11 | +13 | 0 |
| 2009-10 | UMHSEL | Great Plains | 24 | 5 | 10 | 15 | — | — |
| 2009-10 | High-MN | Warroad | 25 | 39 | 34 | 73 | — | 38 |
| 2009-10 (playoffs) | High-MN | Warroad | 6 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 0 | 8 |
| 2010-11 | WCHA | North Dakota | 42 | 8 | 13 | 21 | — | 27 |
| 2010-11 | WJC-A | USA | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 2011-12 | WCHA | North Dakota | 42 | 28 | 19 | 47 | — | 4 |
| 2011-12 | AHL | Bridgeport | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| 2011-12 (playoffs) | AHL | Bridgeport | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012-13 | AHL | Bridgeport | 66 | 25 | 27 | 52 | 0 | 34 |
| 2012-13 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| 2013-14 | NHL | New York Islanders | 72 | 14 | 12 | 26 | -10 | 12 |
| 2013-14 | AHL | Bridgeport | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +2 | 2 |
| 2013-14 | WC-A | USA | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | +3 | 8 |
| 2014-15 | NHL | New York Islanders | 82 | 20 | 22 | 42 | +6 | 24 |
| 2014-15 | WC-A | USA | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | +7 | 8 |
| 2014-15 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | +1 | 2 |
| 2015-16 | NHL | New York Islanders | 81 | 26 | 14 | 40 | -3 | 30 |
| 2015-16 | WC | USA | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015-16 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -5 | 6 |
| 2016-17 | NHL | New York Islanders | 81 | 20 | 25 | 45 | -6 | 36 |
| 2016-17 | WC | USA | 8 | 4 | 3 | 7 | +5 | 2 |
| 2017-18 | NHL | New York Islanders | 82 | 19 | 16 | 35 | -4 | 43 |
| 2018-19 | NHL | New York Islanders | 82 | 25 | 28 | 53 | +20 | 28 |
| 2018-19 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | NHL | New York Islanders | 68 | 26 | 28 | 54 | +6 | 32 |
| 2019-20 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 22 | 9 | 9 | 18 | +4 | 12 |
| 2020-21 | NHL | New York Islanders | 56 | 18 | 15 | 33 | -5 | 14 |
| 2020-21 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 19 | 7 | 5 | 12 | -1 | 4 |
| 2021-22 | NHL | New York Islanders | 72 | 37 | 22 | 59 | -5 | 33 |
| 2022-23 | NHL | New York Islanders | 82 | 36 | 39 | 75 | +13 | 24 |
| 2022-23 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | +4 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | NHL | New York Islanders | 82 | 34 | 35 | 69 | -5 | 28 |
| 2023-24 | WC | USA | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 | +7 | 4 |
| 2023-24 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Islanders | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 10 |
| 2024-25 | NHL | New York Islanders | 61 | 20 | 23 | 43 | +2 | 14 |
| 2024-25 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 19 | 6 | 7 | 13 | +6 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | 4 Nations | United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 0 |
| 2024-25 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +2 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 81 | 33 | 32 | 65 | +15 | 36 |
| 2025-26 | OG | USA | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +1 | 0 |
| 2025-26 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 13 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 10 |
| 2026-27 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Every league he has played in, from the NHL's records, regular season and playoffs.
Latest news
Headlines from news outlets and team blogs
- Pregame - Nelson (Oct. 3)
NHL.com · Oct 4
- Avalanche perspective with Brock Nelson and Jaden Schwartz
Mile High Sports · Oct 2
- Brock Nelson And Colorado Second Unit Dominate The PP | Avalanche Review Game 1
BVM Sports · Oct 1
- Brock Nelson with a Powerplay Goal vs. Los Angeles Kings
sports.yahoo.com · Oct 1
- Brock Nelson continues long-standing Avalanche trend with first goal of 2026-27 season
milehighsticking.com · Oct 1
Sentiment & chatter
Fans
—
Beat writers
—
Media
—
Fan, beat writer, and media scores, the 14-day trade chatter chart, and the latest mentions appear once sentiment scoring is switched on. Mentions are already being collected.
Recent Game Scores
Last 10 games · goals above average
Average +0.51 per game over these 10.
Where his Game Score comes from
+0.90 per game
2025-26 · 81 GP
Season total +73.1, or +0.90 per game.
- Scoring
- +52.2
- Shooting
- +13.9
- 5-on-5 goals
- +3.3
- Defense
- +0.9
- Penalty kill
- +0.7
- Physical play
- +4.0
- Puck battles
- -2.3
- Penalties
- +0.2
- Faceoffs
- +0.1
Game Score gives credit for everything a player does in a game. Goals (1.0) and assists (0.7 primary, 0.5 secondary) count most; shots, blocks, hits, takeaways, penalties drawn, faceoff wins, killing penalties, and holding down the other team's chances add to it. Only mistakes subtract: goals against at 5-on-5, giveaways, penalties taken, faceoff losses, and allowing more chances than an average player would. A player who is there to defend or kill penalties is not marked down for not scoring. Goalies are measured by goals saved above expected.
Skating · NHL EDGE
2026-27, as of Oct 2
- Top speed
- 21.1 mph
- 64th pct
- 20+ mph bursts
- 1
- Hardest shot
- 56.4 mph
- 26th pct
- Distance
- 3.2 mi
- OZ time
- 38.8%
- 27th pct
- DZ time
- 41.7%
Usage
Last game: vs STL, Oct 3
Line 2 with Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog (7:04 together at 5-on-5) · PP2
From the NHL's shift chart.
Age curve
At 34: 63% of peak
NHL forwards · production index
At 34, forwards typically produce 63% of their peak (age 24). His contract runs through age 35, when the typical level is 56%.
From 24 seasons of NHL results, adjusted for league scoring and save percentage in each era. Shaded bars are the seasons left on his contract.
Contract by season
2 seasons left
| Season | Team | Cap hit | % of cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | COL | $7.5M | 7.2% |
| 2027-28 | COL | $7.5M | 6.6% |
UFA after 2027-28. NMC. $15M in cap hits left. % of cap uses each season's ceiling where the league has set one ($104M this season, $113.5M in 2027-28).