Dater: Brock Nelson Signing Means Stability - And Hope

Surprising signing gives roster certainty for three years

It caught me by surprise, and maybe you too. Brock Nelson, three-year deal, $7.5 million cap hit. He’s back after all.

As I wrote before, when I cast doubt on this deal happening at all, the Avs historically don’t re-sign rental players too often, who could go UFA. Also, Nelson’s Minnesota-based agent, Ben Hankinson, said something on Minnesota radio to the effect of “Brock (a Minnesota native) might be interested in becoming a Wild.”

But there the news was - Nelson re-signs with the Avs.

I’ve got to say “wow” on that cap hit. Nelson now is the second-highest paid forward on the Avalanche, the third-highest player on the team behind Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

But I think it’s the right move by the Avs.