Enter Nelson, the best center on the market. He is an elite second-line center whose effectiveness sometimes goes under the radar. Nelson’s all-situation scoring rate has dipped this season, but that is likely a consequence of the Islanders’ disastrous power play.

Playing it close to the vest fits how Nelson has acted throughout his NHL career. He is a ready and willing interview during the season but his words always seem to come with a detached sense of analysis, as if he’s separating his emotions from his public persona.

The Colorado Avalanche made another big trade late Thursday night, picking up Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. After trading away Mikko Rantanen and picking up Ryan Lindgren, they made this big splash.