Insider: 2 Cup Contenders Linked to Islanders Trade Candidate Brock Nelson

New York Islanders longtime veteran center Brock Nelson has become one of the more notable names on the trade market this season as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

If the Isles don't turn their season around and make themselves into a playoff contender, the 33-year-old will certainly be on the move (and might be even if they do). On Thursday's Insider Trading on TSN, Pierre LeBrun noted two of the top teams in the league will have more than a passing interest in Nelson on the trade market.

Keep an eye on Brock Nelson, pending UFA of the NY Islanders. Gonna be a lot of interest in that guy, including from the Minnesota Wild. They are keeping an eye on Nelson... I can (also) see the Dallas Stars trying to use (their massive amounts of cap space) money on (Nelson).

The Stars just lost Tyler Seguin for pretty much the rest of the regular season, at least, so his $9.8 million in cap space now becomes available for Dallas to use as Seguin sits on LTIR for the next four to six months.

Nelson's $6 million salary would fit quite comfortably under that number, and even leave Dallas with room to add a defenseman that they covet as well.

As for the Wild, they are off to a stunning start to the season, and at 17-4-4 own the best record in the NHL. They have already swung a deal for a defenseman, now they'd love to add something up front as well.

"The thing is, if the Islanders get back in the playoff chase," said LeBrun, "Nelson's not going to be available. And (GM) Lou Lamoriello doesn't always trade his UFAs anyway... But (Brock Nelson) would be a name of note."