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5 Teams Linked to Islanders’ Brock Nelson Pre-Trade Deadline
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli listed five trade destinations for Brock Nelson ahead of the trade deadline. Where will he wind up?
With the NHL trade deadline approaching, New York Islanders center Brock Nelson has become a player drawing serious attention. Ranked No. 1 on Daily Faceoff’s Trade Targets board, Nelson has several teams that potentially see him as an ideal fit. In trying to predict where he might wind up, Frank Seravalli identified five teams as potential destinations for Nelson: the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Nelson is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $6 million cap hit. That rules out a few teams who can’t afford the forward unless the Islanders agree to retain salary. However, some clubs can afford that cap hit and Nelson has remained a productive player despite the Islanders’ struggles this season.
Through 46 games, he has recorded 28 points while averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game. The Islanders aren’t headed for the playoffs, and Nelson seems like a logical trade piece, given that he’s bound to test free agency.
Which Trade Destination Makes the Most Sense For Nelson?
Among the five teams, the Minnesota Wild are the most obvious fit. As a Minnesota native, Nelson would not only bolster the Wild’s lineup but also add a hometown narrative to their playoff push. As per Michael Russo of The Athletic, the Wild might see Nelson as a good long-term fit. He writes:
“…cap space isn’t infinite, but it would allow for a potential Brock Nelson signing and, truly depending on what happens with [Marco] Rossi, maybe even somebody like Brock Boeser. It really depends on how negotiations with Rossi go.”
The Winnipeg Jets are also looking for a center and Seravalli suggests Nelson could be the solution to issues the team has been trying to address for some time.
The New Jersey Devils are exploring ways to improve their depth at center and have Simon Nemec potentially available. Nelson offers a high-end, more proven option.
Depending on what the Boston Bruins choose to do (buy or sell), Nelson could be an ideal rental. That team has struggled with consistency all season and has its own drama at times.
Finally, the Carolina Hurricanes are considered “tire kickers” on several big names. If they strike out on Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller, they could be in the market for Nelson.
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