SAN JOSE, Calif. — Lou Lamoriello couldn’t risk losing Brock Nelson for no return.

So once Nelson turned down Lamoriello’s last contract extension offer  on Thursday, the Islanders' president/general manager pivoted quickly and traded Nelson to the Avalanche right around midnight ET, about 15 hours before Friday’s NHL trade deadline.

The Islanders, who also sent AHL forward William Dufour to Colorado, acquired a first-round selection in 2026 or 2027, a conditional third-round pick in 2028, forward Calum Ritchie, the 27th pick in 2023, and defenseman Oliver Kylington.

The Islanders retained 50% of Nelson’s $6 million cap hit as he completes the final season of a six-year, $36 million deal.

Lamoriello then quickly flipped Kylington to the Ducks for future considerations.

According to the Avalanche, if the 2026 first-round pick is transferred to the Flyers — subject to terms of a previous trade — or it is not transferred but is in the top 10, the Avalanche will send their 2027 first-round pick to the Islanders. The Avalanche’s conditional 2028 third-round pick will be sent to the Islanders if the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup this season and Nelson plays in at least 50% of the playoff games.

Nelson, who will be 34 at the start of next season, had 20 goals and 23 assists while playing all 61 games for the Islanders this season, reaching the 20-goal plateau for the ninth time in 12 seasons. That came in his two-point effort in Tuesday night’s 3-2 win over the NHL-leading Jets at UBS Arena that turned into a farewell party for Nelson. It was his 901st and last game with the Islanders, moving him past Bob Nystrom for sole possession of fourth place in team history.