No one in Colorado knows Brock Nelson better than Devon Toews.

Toews, the Avalanche defenseman who played with Nelson with the New York Islanders, was in the center’s ear this summer, convincing him to re-sign in Colorado. His persistence paid off when the 34-year-old Nelson signed a three-year deal with the Avalanche back in June.

A month later, the Avalanche brought in someone who might actually know Nelson a little better. At the very least, new assistant coach Dave Hakstol has known him longer.

“Brock’s career has just continued to grow,” Hakstol said.

Hakstol, who joined Jared Bednar’s staff in July, has been reunited with Nelson 13 years after coaching him for two seasons at the University of North Dakota. They won back-to-back WCHA championships with the Fighting Hawks.

Nelson didn’t last the full four years at North Dakota, signing with the Islanders to turn pro after his sophomore season. That didn’t come as a surprise to Hakstol.

“He processes the game so well to go along with his skill level that he became a really good player immediately as a young guy (in college),” Hakstol said. “He did the same thing at the NHL level. He became a good player and has just continued to grow in terms of maturity of his game as he’s become a long-term, veteran player.

Beyond the usual suspects, Nelson might be the most important player on the roster heading into the season. After Nazem Kadri left via free agency in 2022, it’s been a revolving door in that 2-hole behind Nathan MacKinnon. A solid second-line center is essential for any team with Stanley Cup aspirations, and the Avalanche aren’t just hoping Nelson can be that guy.

They need him to be.

The Avalanche gave up a lot to get Nelson at the trade deadline last season and didn’t immediately get a great return on their investment. It was a whole new experience for the center, who had spent his entire NHL career with the Islanders. That new experience wasn’t just reserved to on-ice action.

“It’s not just a task of adjusting and becoming an effective player for your teammates, in the room and on the ice,” Hakstol said. “There’s all kinds of life changes when you come from one organization your entire career, family changes. There’s a lot of things that come with a move, especially at the deadline. With those things in mind, I’m sure, just like any player, Brock will be a more comfortable player (this year).”

After committing to the Avalanche for three years, Nelson was able to get the whole crew to Colorado this summer. Brock, wife Karley and their four children got to town early to get settled ahead of the school calendar.

It seems like a small difference, but it’s an important one.

“I think it changes things a little bit for me, performance wise,” Nelson said.

Through camp, it’s looked that way.

Although Bednar had said he’d experiment through training camp, one thing stayed consistent — the duo of Nelson and Gabriel Landeskog anchoring the second line. The two had immediate chemistry together after the captain returned to the lineup and when the season opens Tuesday in Los Angeles, they’ll make up two-thirds of a big second line. Valeri Nichushkin is expected to be the third member of that trio, and the Avalanche are hoping a line made up of three giant humans will make life miserable for the opposition.

With the season about to get underway, Nelson’s former bench boss at North Dakota has been impressed with his old pupil.

“I can tell you this, from watching him on the ice the last couple of weeks, he looks great. He looks like he’s at a high level,” Hakstol said.

The head coach was even more effusive in his praise of Nelson.

“He looks phenomenal,” Bednar said. “He’s a step ahead of everyone. Looks really comfortable. I think he’s excited to be back. I think physically, he’s in a really good spot. I’m expecting him to have a really good year.”

The Avalanche hope so. It’d be nice for that revolving door to shut closed.