Islanders president Lou Lamoriello made one trade at the NHL trade deadline. But more than just Brock Nelson needed to go.

Nelson will be the shooting threat on an Avs power play stocked with creators but the Avs will also love his ability to score at even strength. The Minnesota native ranks 10th in the NHL in 5v5 goals over the past four seasons.

The head vs. heart calculus which has tugged at the Islanders’ decision-making, or lack thereof, over the last month finally hit an inflection point.