The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.

Brock Nelson is gone. Yet for the New York Islanders, the ultimate goal -- returning to the playoffs -- remains the same. The Islanders will play their first game without Nelson on the active roster in more than a decade Saturday night when they open a three-game California road trip by opposing the San Jose Sharks.

The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline late Thursday night by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.