DENVER, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche went big this season on a variety of trades. Getting both Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood shored up the situation in net. The franchise-altering trade to send Mikko Rantanen away for Martin Necas and Jack Drury has seemingly come together as well.

But perhaps the most influential move of all was trading for arguably the hottest trade chip at the deadline: New York Islanders Brock Nelson.

He was highly sought after and required many pieces for his acquisition. Several might’ve seen the conditional 2026 first-round pick, 2028 third-round pick, Oliver Kylington, and Cal Ritchie as a lot for an aging 33-year-old who might not fit the Avalanche system perfectly.

His first game against the Toronto Maple Leafs right after the deadline was serviceable. He tallied his first point with an assist on the second goal of the game scored by Valeri Nichushkin. He had the fifth-most ice time in forwards in the game with 18:41.

However, concern certainly set in after the next five games. He had only one point from the second line and was moving around the lineup as Jared Bednar tried to find working combinations. Granted, his one point in this stretch was a big one. He won the faceoff which led to the overtime goal by Cale Makar against the Dallas Stars on March 16.

In this stretch of time, he wasn’t trusted as much and had ice time closer to 15 minutes. For a player of his caliber who represented the United States at the Four Nations Face-Off, Nelson found life difficult playing for a team not on Long Island.

However, he has certainly found his stride in the last two games. To wrap up the Eastern Canadian road trip, Nelson finally worked through things. He proved his worth and value and started playing the Avalanche way.

He had three goals in two games against the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens. For those three goals, he found himself down low deflecting point shots and utilizing his wicked wrister. Those three goals don’t even include his shootout winner to beat the Habs. He also tacked on an assist in the same game.

In eight games as an Av, he has six points in eight games. All things considered, it’s a pretty good start to his tenure where he wanted to go at the deadline. He’s had plenty of support around him with this recent hot stretch by the team overall.

But, the big question is whether or not he will keep it going. Colorado has gone through this situation several times whenever it comes to questioning the 2C slot. Casey Mittelstadt had five points in his first eight games as an Av and then turned it on in the postseason. Nazem Kadri also had five points in his first eight games, granted he started at the beginning of the season.

Nelson is also on an expiring contract requiring a lot for his services after the end of this season. Colorado will have to cough up a lot not only to acquire him but to keep him too. The rumor on Long Island was he wouldn’t sign a new contract with a $7.5 million AAV.

If the Avs can’t come to an agreement and lose him on the market, it will end up being one big rental expense. The only thing which could possibly make it up is if they win a Stanley Cup.