Market for centers gets thinner after huge signing in Colorado!

On Wednesday, the Colorado Avalanche re-signed pending unrestricted free agent Brock Nelson on a three-year contract, worth a total of $22.5 million and carries a cap hit of $7.5 million.

Nelson ended up in Colorado after the Avs acquired him, along with prospect William Dufour, from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenceman Oliver Klyington, prospect Calum Ritchie, and two draft picks ahead of the trade deadline. The 33-year-old posted 26 goals and 56 points in 80 games split between the Islanders and Avalanche. He added four assists in seven playoff games before his team was eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the first round.

Nelson, who is coming off of a six-year, $36 million contract with an annual cap hit of $6 million, is now off the market as he was projected to be one of the most coveted free agents available this summer.

As Michael Amato points out, this means a even thinner market for top centermen this offseason, and could impact the value of many others, including John Tavares whose contract is up with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“A thin C market gets even thinner. Tavares at around $5M for 2-3 years would be a win for the Leafs.”

Nelson has 301 goals and 587 points in 920 career games and is probably thrilled to be staying put in Colorado.

This signing will have a huge impact of other pending free agents and we cannot wait to see how the summer unfolds…