Brock
Nelson
C · COL · Two-way · Elite
- PAL
- 93
- WAR
- 2.7
- Value
- 89
- PTS
- 65
2025-26№ 41 / 615
Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Brock Nelson
#11CPlays: Centre · 95% of faceoffs
Colorado Avalanche
HEIGHT : 193 cm · WEIGHT : 93 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : October 14, 1991 · Warroad, United States
Drafted : 2010 · NYI · round 1, pick #30
Contract : $7,500,000 · 2025-26 → 2027-28 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $500,000NMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | 18 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 81 | 33 | 32 | 65 | 36 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 19 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | New York Islanders | 61 | 20 | 23 | 43 | 14 |
| 2023-24 | New York Islanders | 82 | 34 | 35 | 69 | 28 |
| 2022-23 | New York Islanders | 82 | 36 | 39 | 75 | 24 |
| 2021-22 | New York Islanders | 72 | 37 | 22 | 59 | 33 |
| 2020-21 | New York Islanders | 56 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 14 |
| 2019-20 | New York Islanders | 68 | 26 | 28 | 54 | 32 |
| 2018-19 | New York Islanders | 82 | 25 | 28 | 53 | 28 |
| 2017-18 | New York Islanders | 82 | 19 | 16 | 35 | 43 |
| 2016-17 | New York Islanders | 81 | 20 | 25 | 45 | 36 |
| 2015-16 | New York Islanders | 81 | 26 | 14 | 40 | 30 |
| 2014-15 | New York Islanders | 82 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 24 |
| 2013-14 | New York Islanders | 72 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 12 |
| NHL totals | 1019 | 338 | 324 | 662 | 366 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 13 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | New York Islanders | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 |
| 2022-23 | New York Islanders | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| 2020-21 | New York Islanders | 19 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 4 |
| 2019-20 | New York Islanders | 22 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | New York Islanders | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 2015-16 | New York Islanders | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 2014-15 | New York Islanders | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2012-13 | New York Islanders | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 98 | 29 | 28 | 57 | 52 | |
Brock Nelson: our analysis
2025-26 season: 81 GP, 33 G, 32 A, 65 PTS, +15 +/-, 19:39 TOI. WAR 2.7 (41st of 615) · PAL 93, elite.
In 2025-26, Brock Nelson, 35, posts a PAL Rating of 93 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 2.7 ranks 41st among 615 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: penalty kill (98, among the best in the league), possession (97, among the best in the league) and shooting (92, among the best in the league).
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+4.5).
A clear step forward: his PAL went from 53 in 2024-25 to 93; his WAR went from 1.2 to 2.7.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 89 (very good contract) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Brock Nelson's story
Raised in Warroad, Minnesota, Nelson made his name early at Warroad High School before committing to the University of North Dakota on September 24, 2009. Strong scoring at the high-school level and an appearance at the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp put him among NHL prospects leading into the 2010 draft.
He spent two seasons with North Dakota, scoring his first collegiate power-play goal and earning postseason recognition in the WCHA. After his sophomore year he chose the pro route and signed an entry-level contract with the New York Islanders on April 3, 2012, leaving the NCAA to begin his professional journey.
Nelson’s pro debut came in the AHL with Bridgeport during the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs, and he reached the NHL stage with the Islanders during the 2013 playoffs. In the 2013–14 regular season he recorded his first NHL point (October 8, 2013) and his first NHL goal (October 22, 2013). Over more than a decade in New York he developed into a dependable top-six forward: a 53-point campaign in 2018–19 preceded a six-year, $36 million extension in May 2019; he served as an alternate captain in April 2021 and produced a career-high four-goal game on November 4, 2021. With the Islanders outside playoff range, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on March 6, 2025.
In Colorado Nelson quickly made an impact, scoring six goals and seven assists in 19 regular-season games in 2024–25 and reaching his 300th NHL goal on April 12. The club returned to the playoffs that year and he added two assists in seven post-season games. A three-year, $22.5 million extension followed on June 4, 2025. The 2025–26 season brought career totals of 33 goals and 32 assists in 81 games, his first Avalanche hat-trick on January 25, 2026, and recognition as a Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist for his defensive work.
Internationally Nelson has represented the United States at junior and senior levels: bronze at the 2011 World Junior Championships, alternate captain at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, and a member of Team USA’s gold-medal squad at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where his penalty-kill play was a noted contribution.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 17:31
- PP TOI/GP
- 1:28
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:29
- Pts/GP
- 0.56
- EV points
- 7
- Hits
- 10
- Blocks
- 13
- Takeaways
- 5
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 52.7 %
- Off. zone starts
- 32.0 %
- Faceoffs
- 44.9 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
57between 34 and 79 (80% range)
- Goals
- 26
- Assists
- 31
- Games
- 83
So far: 10 pts in 18 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.73 pts per game (last season: 0.80).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slightly up
- Points per game: 0.84 in 23-24, 0.80 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 53 → 93
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 34: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 85 %
86
High-end
- SK
- Skating
- 83
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 75
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 86
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 91
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 62
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 49
- Confidence 67 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 79
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- 78
- Confidence 92 %
- PA
- Passing
- 80
- Confidence 85 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 88
- Confidence 85 %
- DF
- Defense
- 70
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 54
- Confidence 40 %
- EX
- Experience
- 94
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating83
- Top speed (35 %)36.3 · 77
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)6.437 · 77
- Distance /60 (20 %)17.2 · 93
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.9 · 82
ST — Strength75
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.366 · 68
- Body mass (50 %)0.421 · 82
EN — Endurance86
- Ice time per game (45 %)17.7 · 85
- Total ice time (20 %)1,527 · 89
- Shift length (15 %)47 · 80
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)16.4 · 85
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)3.847 · 86
DU — Durability91
- Share of games played (100 %)0.891 · 91
CK — Checking62
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.048 · 60
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.972 · 66
- Season volume (10 %)3.664 · 68
FG — Fighting49
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.654 · 49
DI — Discipline79
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.029 · 78
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.597 · 76
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.763 · 76
FO — Faceoffs78
- Faceoff % (85 %)50.2 · 76
- Faceoffs /60 (15 %)48.5 · 84
PA — Passing80
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.753 · 79
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.577 · 80
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.136 · 82
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.092 · 70
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.604 · 81
SC — Scoring88
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.214 · 87
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)1.013 · 86
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.675 · 87
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)1.822 · 87
- xG per shot (10 %)0.087 · 87
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)14.3 · 82
DF — Defense70
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.062 · 65
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.088 · 67
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.611 · 75
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.224 · 91
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.126 · 80
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)60.9 · 61
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)2.585 · 74
PS — Penalty shot54
- Shootouts (60 %)29.4 · 49
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience94
- Career regular-season games (65 %)97
- Career playoff games (25 %)87
- NHL seasons (10 %)90
OV — Overall86
- SC · Scoring (20 %)88
- PA · Passing (20 %)80
- DF · Defense (20 %)70
- SK · Skating (12 %)83
- FO · Faceoffs (10 %)78
- EN · Endurance (8 %)86
- DI · Discipline (5 %)79
- ST · Strength (3 %)75
- CK · Checking (2 %)62
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 86 | 83 | 88 | 70 |
| 2024-25 | 83 | 82 | 86 | 62 |
| 2023-24 | 80 | 83 | 89 | 56 |
| 2022-23 | 80 | 83 | 86 | 59 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
2.7
wins above replacement
41 of 615
PAL Rating
93/ 100
Performance · Elite
30 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
89/ 100
Very good contract
7.50 M$ · expected PAL 71
ProfileTwo-wayStrong at both ends
- Offense
- 88
- Defense
- 92
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 76
- Creation
- 90
- Shooting
- 92
- Possession
- 97
- Defense
- 58
- Discipline
- 39
- Power play
- 75
- Penalty kill
- 98
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 2.7 | 93 | 89 | 7.50 M$ |
| 2024-25 | COL | 1.2 | 53 | 29 | 6.00 M$ |
| 2023-24 | NYI | 1.6 | 65 | 40 | 6.00 M$ |
| 2022-23 | NYI | 2.2 | 61 | 35 | 6.00 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
66/ 100
Average
better than 66% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
86/ 100
Very good
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
31/ 100
Below average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 143 of 424 forwards.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 33
- Shot selection
- 94
- Penalties drawn
- 60
- Puck management
- 52
Defense
- Takeaways
- 37
- Discipline
- 21
- Safe zone exits
- 79
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 66 | 86 | 31 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 97 | 78 | 96 |
| 2023-24 | NYI | 81 | 74 | 69 |
| 2022-23 | NYI | 82 | 67 | 83 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
2.7
wins above replacement
0.7 to 4.2 — 90% interval
41 of 615 forwards
+14.2 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +4.5
- EV defense
- +0.1
- Power play
- +0.2
- Penalty kill
- +1.0
- Shooting
- +4.2
- Penalties
- +0.3
- Average → replacement
- +4.0
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 81 | 2.7 | 0.7 to 4.2 | 41/615 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 76 | 1.2 | -0.0 to 2.3 | 135/596 |
| 2023-24 | NYI | 82 | 1.6 | -0.1 to 3.4 | 93/608 |
| 2022-23 | NYI | 82 | 2.2 | 0.7 to 3.8 | 53/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 136.6 km/h65th percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 36.8 km/h89th percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 2669th percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 40.3 %29th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 85.0 km92nd percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.96 km90th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.1 %50th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.3 %62nd percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 41.4 %31st percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 3174th percentile | 474th percentile | 12.9 %50th percentile |
| High danger | 963rd percentile | 386th percentile | 33.3 %85th percentile |
| Mid range | 1488th percentile | 054th percentile | 0.0 %32nd percentile |
| Long range | 153rd percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %87th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
DET
NSH
CBJ
CHI
CGY
NJD
TBL
PHI
PIT
DAL
TOR
WPG
STL
LAKBrock Nelson: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Brock Nelson have in 2026-27?
Brock Nelson has 4 goals and 10 points (6 assists) in 18 games in 2026-27.
How old is Brock Nelson?
Brock Nelson is 35 years old: he was born on October 15, 1991.
How tall is Brock Nelson, and how much does he weigh?
Brock Nelson is 6'4" (193 cm) and weighs 205 lb (93 kg).
Where is Brock Nelson from?
United States: Brock Nelson was born in Warroad, Minnesota, United States.
What team does Brock Nelson play for?
Brock Nelson plays for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL, at C, wearing number 11.
Is Brock Nelson injured?
No: Brock Nelson is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Brock Nelson?
Brock Nelson produced 2.7 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 41st of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 93 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Brock Nelson make?
Brock Nelson earns $7.5M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 89 out of 100 (very good contract): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Brock Nelson's contract end?
Brock Nelson's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Brock Nelson overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 89 out of 100 (very good contract), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Brock Nelson a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 41st of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Brock Nelson getting better?
Yes: his PAL rating went from 53 in 2024-25 to 93 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Brock Nelson played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Brock Nelson has 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists).
What are Brock Nelson's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Brock Nelson has 1,019 games, 338 goals, 324 assists and 662 points. His best season: 2022-23, with 75 points in 82 games.
Where was Brock Nelson drafted?
Brock Nelson was drafted 30th overall (round 1) by New York Islanders in 2010.
Is Brock Nelson better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 0.80 points per game at home (8 in 10 games) and 0.25 on the road (2 in 8 games).
How does Brock Nelson perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Brock Nelson has 98 games and 57 points in his career. His pace (0.58 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.65).
Which player is most similar to Brock Nelson?
Anthony Cirelli: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Anthony Cirelli's page →Is Brock Nelson a good fantasy pick?
A useful depth pick: our projection has him at 57 points in 2026-27, or 0.69 points per game.
Is Brock Nelson related to anyone famous?
Yes: Dave Christian (uncle, member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won gold; NHL veteran with over 1,000 games); Bill Christian (grandfather, member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won gold); Roger Christian (great uncle, member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won gold); Gordon Christian (great uncle, member of the 1956 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won silver); null (mother, figure skater); Karley Sylvester (wife, former Minnesota Ms. Hockey; competed on the University of Wisconsin women's ice hockey team).
What is Brock Nelson's nationality?
Brock Nelson is American. Internationally: United States — Olympic gold medalist 2026 (men's hockey); World Junior Championship bronze 2011; named an alternate captain at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
What awards has Brock Nelson won?
Tom Hoghaug Memorial Scholarship ; All-WCHA Team ; WCHA All-Tournament Team ; All-WCHA Third Team ; Inside College Hockey All-American ; College Hockey News Second Team ; Inside College Hockey's WCHA Breakthrough Player of the Year ; Finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy (voted by the PHWA).
How many championships has Brock Nelson won?
2: 2026 Winter Olympics — gold medal with Team USA (men's hockey); 2011 World Junior Championship — bronze medal with Team USA.
Where did Brock Nelson play before turning pro?
University of North Dakota — two seasons with the Fighting Sioux (signed entry-level contract on April 3, 2012).
How many points is Brock Nelson projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 57 points in 83 games in 2026-27 (34 to 79 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Colorado Avalanche teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)