Evan Rawal
@evanrawal
13s
The Avs have signed Brock Nelson to a 3 year contract. Huge news. 2C is figured out.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
49s
Colorado re-signs Brock Nelson at 3 x $7.5M

Good for him, hope he gets a Cup there before he has to hang them up
- Gabe Athaus

Wow, so much for the Avs walking away from him 🤣🤣

Evan Rawal
@evanrawal
13s
The Avs have signed Brock Nelson to a 3 year contract. Huge news. 2C is figured out.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
49s
Colorado re-signs Brock Nelson at 3 x $7.5M

Good for him, hope he gets a Cup there before he has to hang them up
- Gabe Athaus

I was guessing he'd hold out for a longer term.

I was guessing he'd hold out for a longer term.
- JimmyP

Seemed highly unlikely he was going to get significant term at age 34. I assumed 3 or 4 years would be where the deal would end up. Maybe he could have gotten more term if he went to market, but it almost certainly wouldn't have been with a contender like COL.

2C is figured out until the playoffs.

- ses111

Over his career, Nelson has 0.64 pts/game in the regular season. In the playoffs, his production drops off drastically to... ... ...0.64 pts/game

Heck the last two trips to the playoffs for the Isles he had 4 points in 5 games in 2024 and 5 points in 6 games in 2023. I'm not sure Nelson was a postseason issue for the Isles...

Over his career, Nelson has 0.64 pts/game in the regular season. In the playoffs, his production drops off drastically to... ... ...0.64 pts/game

Heck the last two trips to the playoffs for the Isles he had 4 points in 5 games in 2024 and 5 points in 6 games in 2023. I'm not sure Nelson was a postseason issue for the Isles...
- UIF

How many big goals did he score and especially how did he do against Tampa?

Same numbers the Isles offered, if Gross' reporting is accurate:

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
·
16s
I was told in March that 3x$7.5M was #Isles last and best offer. Brock obviously declined then.

Same numbers the Isles offered, if Gross' reporting is accurate:

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
·
16s
I was told in March that 3x$7.5M was #Isles last and best offer. Brock obviously declined then.
- UIF

Different teams in different positions, I guess. If Brock was going to forego his chances at a Stanley Cup he probably wanted to make a lot more money to do it. Now that he's in a position to have a real chance I assume he was willing to take a bit of a discount or at least not go to market and see what else was out there

Regardless, I'll be rooting for him. I already like the Avs so that won't be hard.

How many big goals did he score and especially how did he do against Tampa?
- ses111

I'd argue every point in the playoffs is "big." That's when you want players to produce, and Nelson did that for the Isles -- more and more, in fact, as his career progressed, and quite well during the two conference finals runs. I don't have game-by-game breakdowns, but I'm sure his playoff point production wasn't limited only to games the Isles were either winning or losing in blowouts, if that's the implication.

As far as Tampa, I think it was pretty clear Tampa was simply a better team than the Islanders. That the Isles took them to six and seven games in those two years...which was as far as any other team took them in 2020, and further than any other team took them in 2021...is a testament to how hard the team battled those years, including Nelson. I guess I don't look at those seasons as a Cup team failing but rather as a flawed team playing with a ton of heart and overachieving.

I'd argue every point in the playoffs is "big." That's when you want players to produce, and Nelson did that for the Isles -- more and more, in fact, as his career progressed, and quite well during the two conference finals runs. I don't have game-by-game breakdowns, but I'm sure his playoff point production wasn't limited only to games the Isles were either winning or losing in blowouts, if that's the implication.

As far as Tampa, I think it was pretty clear Tampa was simply a better team than the Islanders. That the Isles took them to six and seven games in those two years...which was as far as any other team took them in 2020, and further than any other team took them in 2021...is a testament to how hard the team battled those years, including Nelson. I guess I don't look at those seasons as a Cup team failing but rather as a flawed team playing with a ton of heart and overachieving.
- UIF

In my mind, I may be unfairly comparing Nelson and Bailey. I just saw a lack of intensity from both players despite their talent. Some players you like and some not so much. I saw that last ECF against Tampa and going 7 games and losing 1-0 as a big miss in a winnable game whether Tampa is better or not.

In my mind, I may be unfairly comparing Nelson and Bailey. I just saw a lack of intensity from both players despite their talent. Some players you like and some not so much. I saw that last ECF against Tampa and going 7 games and losing 1-0 as a big miss in a winnable game whether Tampa is better or not.
- ses111

I don't think that's fair at all.

I don't think that's fair at all.
- JimmyP

Bailey actually outpaced Nelson in career playoff PPG average, he's sitting at .70

I don't think that's fair at all.
- JimmyP

It's probably not. Fans are not always rational.

Bailey actually outpaced Nelson in career playoff PPG average, he's sitting at .70
- Gabe Athaus

Bailey did seem to have better playoff moments than Nelson.

Bailey did seem to have better playoff moments than Nelson.
- ses111

Those three enjoyable playoff runs we had with Trotz were largely a result of a team game in a very defense-first system. I think getting bogged down in individual statistics in regard to those years is losing the forest for the trees. Those playoff runs were largely successful because they suffocated opponents.

Those three enjoyable playoff runs we had with Trotz were largely a result of a team game in a very defense-first system. I think getting bogged down in individual statistics in regard to those years is losing the forest for the trees. Those playoff runs were largely successful because they suffocated opponents.
- Gabe Athaus

Very true. It really was a success due to the system. I think what hurts Nelson is his performance during the tournament with much better players and no goals with a good Avs team.

I was guessing he'd hold out for a longer term.
- JimmyP

Only because you're used to our GM's giving out 7-year contracts like candy on Halloween.

Only because you're used to our GM's giving out 7-year contracts like candy on Halloween.
- PeteM

He signed his son to a ten year extension but it was at a low aav just like Engvall. Value.

Anyway, onward and upward. 22 days until Isles have the first overall pick. They took Schaefer out to dinner the other night. Doesn't sound like Darche has any interest whatsoever in trading the first overall pick despite those rumors that the Sharks love Schaefer. Things are good in Isles-land

Anyway, onward and upward. 22 days until Isles have the first overall pick. They took Schaefer out to dinner the other night. Doesn't sound like Darche has any interest whatsoever in trading the first overall pick despite those rumors that the Sharks love Schaefer. Things are good in Isles-land
- Gabe Athaus

No way the Islanders should trade the pick unless the Sharks blow the Islanders away.

Anyway, onward and upward. 22 days until Isles have the first overall pick. They took Schaefer out to dinner the other night. Doesn't sound like Darche has any interest whatsoever in trading the first overall pick despite those rumors that the Sharks love Schaefer. Things are good in Isles-land
- Gabe Athaus

Very exciting. If you watch video of Schaefer he’s a standout. It’s time the isles got themselves a future Norris candidate.
In my lifetime the best backend the isles had was Aucoin, Johnnson, Ninimaa, and Hamrlik and that’s still a 1B first pair.

Very exciting. If you watch video of Schaefer he’s a standout. It’s time the isles got themselves a future Norris candidate.
In my lifetime the best backend the isles had was Aucoin, Johnnson, Ninimaa, and Hamrlik and that’s still a 1B first pair.
- kindlyrick

Schaefer seems to be the real deal offensively and defensively. That backend was really good, and they did not seem to have a true 1A.

Schaefer seems to be the real deal offensively and defensively. That backend was really good, and they did not seem to have a true 1A.
- ses111

He’s big, with a super long stride and hands. The kid looks like a forward when he rushes the puck. I feel like the upside on him is tremendous and Darche is big on developement. I see Schaefer being a Norris candidate imho

He’s big, with a super long stride and hands. The kid looks like a forward when he rushes the puck. I feel like the upside on him is tremendous and Darche is big on developement. I see Schaefer being a Norris candidate imho
- kindlyrick

You need D that can pass or skate the puck out of trouble and that can help the offense. Schaefer should be able to do these things. The days of the Islanders just relying on the forwards to score need to be over. Forward need to help on defense and the defense need to help on offense.

This was translated from French, so if anything looks weird that's why:

Mathieu Darche: "There are guys I don't want to know anything about trading."

Mathieu Darche, General Manager of the Islanders

Photo: Dennis DaSilva/New York Islanders

Marc Antoine Godin (View profile)

Marc Antoine Godin
Posted at 5:00 AM EDT

BUFFALO, New York – When Mathieu Darche was introduced to the New York press corps last Friday, he answered a lot of questions, but no one really grilled him about the direction he planned to take the New York Islanders as their new general manager.

The 48-year-old executive was more forthcoming in an interview with Radio-Canada Sports on Wednesday, during the week-long evaluation process before the NHL draft, making it clear that there would be no rebuilding on Long Island.

There's no perfect team and there's work to be done. But last year, there were injuries and the fact that we finished 31st in the league on both special teams, Darche said. That's why I said this was a team that could have made the playoffs, and I think we can be there next season too.

How we play will dictate what I do.

A quote fromMathieu Darche, general manager of the New York Islanders
According to the new GM, the Islanders have too good a core for the team to simply sabotage itself and decide to start from scratch. Make adjustments? Certainly. Add speed? As much as possible, yes. But he intends to work with the good players he already has in place to maintain continuity.


I want to rejuvenate the team, but not rejuvenate with players who will play for our team in five years either , added Darche.

I'm not ready to destroy the team for two years and then take years to rebuild it. We'll gradually replace people, but certainly not everyone at once to be bad.

He believes he's in a pretty good position with a center line that can count on Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, with youngsters like Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov, with a good top four defense that includes Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. Not to mention one of the best goalies in the NHL in Ilya Sorokin.

I have too many good players to say that next year we will still finish at the bottom of the table.


The Canadiens are looking for a center, and a veteran like Horvat would certainly have piqued their interest if he had been available. However, Darche's vision for the Islanders clearly includes Horvat.

The new boss continues to learn about his players' personalities and he doesn't intend to close any doors, but...

There are some guys I don't want to trade, Darche was careful to point out. If someone makes me an offer that I have no choice but to listen to, I have no choice. […] But without naming names, there are some that it would take a lot for me to move.

Staying himself
Mathieu Darche had already interviewed for several general manager positions, including in Chicago and Columbus. He therefore had a good deal of experience with the process, although each organization operates differently.

The most recent experience has encouraged him above all to be himself.

Did I care less about telling them what they wanted to hear? Maybe. I've never been completely like that, but this time I went straight to what I thought and what I saw.

At one point in the process, Darche met with Islanders owners for five consecutive days. There were discussions over Zoom and others in person. Ultimately, his vision, influenced by the success of Julien BriseBois and the Tampa Bay Lightning, landed him the job.

"I won't be Julien 2.0. I have to be myself," Darche said. "We have different personalities, and that's why we complemented each other well."

But he's been incredible, he's probably the best GM in the league. I've learned a ton from him, and there's a lot of things I'm going to do that are like him.

Acquiring a second center looks complicated for the Canadiens
Small improvement in front of the net for young Quebec goalkeepers
Quebecers in the draft: Bill Zonnon or the importance of the symbol
Justin Carbonneau: the hopeful who expects a lot from himself... and from those around him
Some clarifications
Rather than encountering peers eager to take advantage of his rookie candor, Darche was surprised to feel a strong sense of brotherhood within the NHL's fraternity of general managers. They are rivals, but they help each other and have been warm to him.

Even Lou Lamoriello, the man he replaced last week, always had a reputation for being one of the first executives to jump on the phone to congratulate a new CEO and make them feel welcome. Although Darche succeeded him, Lamoriello has maintained his good habits, so he and Darche have had two meetings of about two hours since the Quebecer replaced him.

No, Lamoriello does not retain any status with the Islanders after his dismissal. He does not hold a senior advisory role or any similar position.

He doesn't have a role in the team, but he has made himself available for any occasion when I need to talk to him , Darche said.

Darche took the opportunity on Wednesday to clarify other rumors that had been circulating for several days.

For example, it wasn't because head coach Patrick Roy was under contract for another two years, or that the Islanders' owners insisted he stay on, that Darche reappointed the former goaltender.

It was 100% my decision , he said.

The same goes for the contract awarded to striker Kyle Palmieri, who, according to gossip, had already been the subject of a tacit agreement with Lamoriello.

There were discussions, but I was the one who signed the contract, Darche said. And I'm happy to have him, we need to score goals. Palmieri is a goalscorer and it's a good contract.

This was translated from French, so if anything looks weird that's why:

Mathieu Darche: "There are guys I don't want to know anything about trading."

Mathieu Darche, General Manager of the Islanders

Photo: Dennis DaSilva/New York Islanders

Marc Antoine Godin (View profile)

Marc Antoine Godin
Posted at 5:00 AM EDT

BUFFALO, New York – When Mathieu Darche was introduced to the New York press corps last Friday, he answered a lot of questions, but no one really grilled him about the direction he planned to take the New York Islanders as their new general manager.

The 48-year-old executive was more forthcoming in an interview with Radio-Canada Sports on Wednesday, during the week-long evaluation process before the NHL draft, making it clear that there would be no rebuilding on Long Island.

There's no perfect team and there's work to be done. But last year, there were injuries and the fact that we finished 31st in the league on both special teams, Darche said. That's why I said this was a team that could have made the playoffs, and I think we can be there next season too.

How we play will dictate what I do.

A quote fromMathieu Darche, general manager of the New York Islanders
According to the new GM, the Islanders have too good a core for the team to simply sabotage itself and decide to start from scratch. Make adjustments? Certainly. Add speed? As much as possible, yes. But he intends to work with the good players he already has in place to maintain continuity.


I want to rejuvenate the team, but not rejuvenate with players who will play for our team in five years either , added Darche.

I'm not ready to destroy the team for two years and then take years to rebuild it. We'll gradually replace people, but certainly not everyone at once to be bad.

He believes he's in a pretty good position with a center line that can count on Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, with youngsters like Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov, with a good top four defense that includes Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. Not to mention one of the best goalies in the NHL in Ilya Sorokin.

I have too many good players to say that next year we will still finish at the bottom of the table.


The Canadiens are looking for a center, and a veteran like Horvat would certainly have piqued their interest if he had been available. However, Darche's vision for the Islanders clearly includes Horvat.

The new boss continues to learn about his players' personalities and he doesn't intend to close any doors, but...

There are some guys I don't want to trade, Darche was careful to point out. If someone makes me an offer that I have no choice but to listen to, I have no choice.
- Gabe Athaus[…] But without naming names, there are some that it would take a lot for me to move.

Staying himself
Mathieu Darche had already interviewed for several general manager positions, including in Chicago and Columbus. He therefore had a good deal of experience with the process, although each organization operates differently.

The most recent experience has encouraged him above all to be himself.

Did I care less about telling them what they wanted to hear? Maybe. I've never been completely like that, but this time I went straight to what I thought and what I saw.

At one point in the process, Darche met with Islanders owners for five consecutive days. There were discussions over Zoom and others in person. Ultimately, his vision, influenced by the success of Julien BriseBois and the Tampa Bay Lightning, landed him the job.

"I won't be Julien 2.0. I have to be myself," Darche said. "We have different personalities, and that's why we complemented each other well."

But he's been incredible, he's probably the best GM in the league. I've learned a ton from him, and there's a lot of things I'm going to do that are like him.

Acquiring a second center looks complicated for the Canadiens
Small improvement in front of the net for young Quebec goalkeepers
Quebecers in the draft: Bill Zonnon or the importance of the symbol
Justin Carbonneau: the hopeful who expects a lot from himself... and from those around him
Some clarifications
Rather than encountering peers eager to take advantage of his rookie candor, Darche was surprised to feel a strong sense of brotherhood within the NHL's fraternity of general managers. They are rivals, but they help each other and have been warm to him.

Even Lou Lamoriello, the man he replaced last week, always had a reputation for being one of the first executives to jump on the phone to congratulate a new CEO and make them feel welcome. Although Darche succeeded him, Lamoriello has maintained his good habits, so he and Darche have had two meetings of about two hours since the Quebecer replaced him.

No, Lamoriello does not retain any status with the Islanders after his dismissal. He does not hold a senior advisory role or any similar position.

He doesn't have a role in the team, but he has made himself available for any occasion when I need to talk to him , Darche said.

Darche took the opportunity on Wednesday to clarify other rumors that had been circulating for several days.

For example, it wasn't because head coach Patrick Roy was under contract for another two years, or that the Islanders' owners insisted he stay on, that Darche reappointed the former goaltender.

It was 100% my decision , he said.

The same goes for the contract awarded to striker Kyle Palmieri, who, according to gossip, had already been the subject of a tacit agreement with Lamoriello.

There were discussions, but I was the one who signed the contract, Darche said. And I'm happy to have him, we need to score goals. Palmieri is a goalscorer and it's a good contract.

Thanks for sharing. I’m not used to a GM being vocal. Must be a French Canadian thing as the media in Canada is relentless. But man it’s nice to hear a plan and have a GM be transparent.