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 by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.

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.