The Boston Bruins signed center Jaxon Nelson, a 6-foot-4, 207-pound player, to a one-year entry level contract for the 2024-2025 NHL season, the team announced Tuesday. Nelson’s contract includes a $775,000 base salary at the NHL level, a $95,000 signing bonus, up to $80,000 in performance bonuses, and an AHL salary of $82,500.
Nelson will play out the rest of this season with the Providence Bruins on an Amateur Tryout Agreement.
Though Nelson was not among my NCAA free agent targets last month he was on my target list in 2023 had he decided to turn pro. I voiced some concerns at that time, but was also intrigued by the obvious potential.
“Nelson is in his senior year and I have some concerns. His defensive game is adequate but he lacks in the offensive department – just 7 goals and 21 points in 34 games this season. Some put it on his lower end hockey IQ but I think if he can improve on his skating, he could carve out a pro career,” was what I wrote at the time.
Fast forward a year later.
Although his number of assists decreased compared to last year, he nearly doubled his goal tally. His defense and on-ice awareness have notably improved. By consistently positioning himself well in the offensive and defensive zones, he has demonstrated success. This indicates that my initial evaluation that his struggles were unrelated to hockey IQ was accurate.
There has been subtle improvement in his skating, though his technique remains solid with powerful legs. While he lacks speed in his first steps due to underdeveloped crossovers, his strength on his blades makes him hard to knock off stride. He struggles to beat defenders one-on-one but can still muscle his way to the front of the net. And in the hard areas with his strength on his blades and reach, protects the puck very well.
Nelson becomes the third NCAA free agent signed by the Bruins following Drew Bavaro and Ryan Bischel.
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Dom - Hockey 
I viewed Nelson as an underachiever throughout his college career and then something happened at the end of his final season. He began using his size and strength more relentlessly and he played at a level I never saw from the kid. The Michigan, Omaha, and Boston U games were him using his tools. My guess is career AHL / ECHL type, but he has some intriguing tools with his size and body control.
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