Analyst Links Maple Leafs to Islanders Trade Candidate

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for a centre. This, we know. A 2C, ideally. As they peruse the potential trade market, one name is likely to be front and centre as a possible 'get'. According to Leafs analyst James Mirtle of The Athletic, speaking on Sportsnet on Tuesday, he feels that the New York Islanders' pending UFA Brock Nelson is the ideal candidate.

The one name I saw who's potentially out there is Brock Nelson. He would be perfect. With size, he can score... He's not a shutdown centre, but he's not gonna kill you in your own end either...
You'd have to give up something substantial to make that happen, but... if you could bring in a centre like that... you've got something.

Nelson is in the sixth and final season of his $36 million deal ($6M AAV) with the Isles, and at 6'4", 210 pounds, and a consistent 30+ goal scorer for three years running now, even at the age of 33, you can bet that Leafs head coach Craig Berube would be all in on adding the 12-year veteran.

The Leafs' lack of a true second-line centre has been obvious for some time now. They tried star winger William Nylander in the pivot during the preseason, but that lasted just a couple of exhibition games.

Prospect Fraser Minten, who might be a solid candidate for that role at some point down the road, was incidentally just activated from season opening injured reserve on Tuesday, and assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He missed all of training camp, and still needs plenty of seasoning before he's ready for an NHL role, especially one as consequential as the one in question.

In any trade discussion for a centre like Nelson, young players, prospects and premium draft picks would all need to be part of the discussions.