2024 Stats
G
26
A
30
PP Pts
7
+/-
8
PIM
18
2025 Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Nelson's four best seasons have been the last four, but 2024-25 still offered up a twist for him. The long-time Islander was dealt to the Avalanche at the deadline. Nelson produced 56 points over 80 regular-season games between the two teams, and the Avalanche saw enough to extend him for three years before he got to free agency. While his location has changed, his role is pretty much the same it has always been -- he's a steady second-line center who can play in all situations and add a strong share of offense. The only concern is age, as Nelson will turn 34 early in the 2025-26 campaign. His offense has trended up in recent years, but age-related regression is always a threat for any player in their mid-30s. Still, Nelson looks like a candidate for 20 goals and 60 points, especially since he'll be in a strong offense. Read Past Outlooks

Staying in Mile High City
Nelson inked a three-year, $22.5 million contract with Colorado on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Nelson was expected to hit free agency July 1 but instead has decided to tie himself to the Avalanche for the next three years. With Nelson's signature, the Avs have locked up their No. 2 center behind Nathan MacKinnon. In his short stint with the Avs, Nelson racked up six goals and seven assists in 19 regular-season contests, reaching the 50-point threshold for the fourth straight year.
Nelson was expected to hit free agency July 1 but instead has decided to tie himself to the Avalanche for the next three years. With Nelson's signature, the Avs have locked up their No. 2 center behind Nathan MacKinnon. In his short stint with the Avs, Nelson racked up six goals and seven assists in 19 regular-season contests, reaching the 50-point threshold for the fourth straight year.
NHL Stats
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2024 NHL Game Log
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2024 NHL Game Log
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
- Average Time On Ice: 17:30
- Average Power Play TOI: 2:25
- Average Short-Handed TOI: 0:01
- Average Time On Ice: 19:21
- Average Power Play TOI: 2:20
- Average Short-Handed TOI: 1:15
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2022–23
18:26
2:59
0:38
2023–24
18:05
2:53
0:17
2024–25
17:30
2:25
0:01
2024–25
19:21
2:20
1:15
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
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Few players take a step forward in the back half of their career, but Nelson is an exception. He never recorded more than 26 goals and 54 points in any of his first eight campaigns, but the 32-year-old (33 on Oct. 15) has provided 34-37 goals and 59-75 points in each of his past three seasons. When he made that leap in 2021-22 with 37 goals, a subsequent decline appeared to be in order given his 21.6 shooting percentage, but while his success rate with the puck has predictably dropped, his firing rate has increased dramatically to make up the difference. In 2023-24, he provided 34 goals with a far more sustainable 13.6 shooting percentage. It's not like he has elites feeding him the puck either -- his most common linemates in 2023-24 were the shoot-first Kyle Palmieri and the 28-point Pierre Engvall. Nelson just genuinely found another level and is a reasonable bet to once again supply 35-40 goals.
More Fantasy News

Logs pair of assists in Game 6
Nelson registered two assists and two PIM in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Stars in Game 6.
ANALYSIS
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Supplies two helpers in win
Nelson logged two assists, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Stars in Game 4.
ANALYSIS
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Surpasses 300 goals
Nelson scored two goals Saturday in a 5-4 loss to the Kings.
ANALYSIS
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Manages assist Saturday
Nelson produced an assist in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Blues.
ANALYSIS
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Scores in Thursday's win
Nelson scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jackets.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors

Open to staying in Denver
Nelson is willing to negotiate a new contract with the Avalanche, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Nelson is a pending unrestricted free agent, so there's no guarantee a deal gets done. However, he would fit in as a No. 2 center after filling that role following the trade deadline, when the Avalanche acquired him from the Islanders. Nelson and the Avalanche are set to ramp up talks in June.
Nelson is a pending unrestricted free agent, so there's no guarantee a deal gets done. However, he would fit in as a No. 2 center after filling that role following the trade deadline, when the Avalanche acquired him from the Islanders. Nelson and the Avalanche are set to ramp up talks in June.