Nelson scored two goals, one on the power play and the other the game-winner, in Thursday's 5-1 victory over the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

The goals were his first in seven appearances since being acquired by the Avalanche at the trade deadline. The power-play tally was only Nelson's second of the season -- his other came back on Nov. 23 -- but the former Islander is up to seven game-winning goals on the campaign, one short of the career-high eight he produced in 2022-23. The veteran center is three goals shy of 25, and three points away from recording 50 -- marks he's reached in each of the prior five full seasons.

Nelson picked up an assist in a 7-4 Colorado win over Toronto on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson hit the post in the first minute of his Colorado debut. He got a primary assist on Valeri Nichushkin's second goal of the first period. Nelson looked almost immediately comfortable with his new team and linemates. The pivot has points in seven of his last eight games (four goals, seven assists), and he's skating with perhaps the best players of his career. Nelson's fantasy value is about to take a big jump.

Nelson and William Dufour were traded to the Avalanche from the Islanders on Thursday in exchange for Oliver Kylington, Calum Ritchie, a conditional first-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson's tenure with the Islanders, the only team he's known in the NHL since he was drafted 30th overall in 2010, is over. He reached the 20-goal mark nine times in 12 seasons with the club, including this year after scoring in his last game as an Islander on Tuesday versus the Jets. He'll now join a true contender and slot in as the second-line center behind Nathan MacKinnon as the Avalanche look to climb the mountain again. Nelson was one of the top forwards on the market, and while he may end up being a rental for the Avalanche, he's an immediate upgrade over Casey Mittelstadt, who could slip down the lineup, move to the wing or both to accommodate this move.

Nelson recorded an even-strength goal and a power-play assist in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson has been on a tear since the league resumed play following the 4 Nations break, tallying eight points across his last six games (three goals, five assists) and failing to crack the scoresheet just once. Nelson also has 15 shots, five hits and four blocked shots in that span.

Nelson generated two goals and one assist in Saturday's 7-4 win over Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson scored twice in the second period, including his third shorthanded goal of 2024-25. He has produced three goals and five assists during his five-game point spree. Nelson has accounted for 19 goals and 41 points through 59 appearances this season. Should the Islanders elect to move him, the 33-year-old forward has been increasing his trade value ahead of Friday's deadline.

Nelson logged an assist and three shots on goal in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson has four points and 16 shots on net over his last four contests. The 33-year-old has been excellent in a second-line role this season, giving the Islanders some stability on offense. He's up to 36 points, 150 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 56 appearances. That production doesn't play in all fantasy formats, especially with a lack of physicality, but Nelson's consistency can add some appeal.

Nelson produced a goal on a team-high eight shots, an assist, one hit, one blocked shot and a minus-1 rating in Saturday's 6-3 loss to Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson logged the primary assist on Kyle Palmieri's 16th goal of 2024-25 before he gave New York a 2-1 lead in the opening 28 seconds of the middle frame. Nelson has been subject to trade speculation due to his pending unrestricted free agent status, but New York has crept into the playoff race recently, so General Manager Lou Lamoriello may have to be blown away with an offer in order to concede a top-six center. Nelson is at 17 goals and 35 points through 55 appearances this season. The 33-year-old won't have any time off during the break -- he'll don the Team USA sweater at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Nelson scored the game-winning goal Tuesday in a 2-1 victory over Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

It was his fourth game winner of the season. Nelson redirected an Alexander Romanov point shot over Ilya Samsonov's glove from deep in the left face-off circle mid-way through the third period. It was his 15th goal and 32nd point (52 games) of the season (52 games). Nelson's pace is well below his brilliance of the last three seasons (107 goals, 96 assists; 236 games). With his pedigree and his expiring contract, Nelson remains a strong trade target for many contenders. But with eight wins in their last nine games, the Isles have moved within three points of a Wild Card position, and trades may be off the table.

Nelson scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson finished the Islanders' comeback with his goal 2:03 into the extra session. The 33-year-old has been stellar lately with five goals and five assists over his last eight contests, and his play hasn't dropped even with a return to the second line after a stint on the top line. The center is up to 15 goals (four game-winners), 31 points, 122 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over 48 appearances.

Nelson recorded a goal and an assist in Friday's 3-1 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson participated in the build-up of Anthony Duclair's goal in the first period and later closed out the scoring by lighting the lamp in the second frame. Nelson has recorded four multi-point efforts over his last seven appearances, a stretch in which he's racked up nine points (four goals, five assists), 20 shots, three hits, four blocked shots and a plus-4 rating.