Islanders' Brock Nelson Comments on Trade Rumors, Future in New York
Brock Nelson knows the New York Islanders are going to want a decision on a contract extension before March 7, but the American forward is trying to put the noise on the backburner at the moment and focus on his role with Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Nelson spoke with Sportsnet's Luke Fox during media day, and opened up about the ongoing trade rumors, and what the future may hold with the Islanders.
It’s a mental break. It’s something you kind of put on pause a little bit just being here.
I know there’s a lot of speculation from outside and different things, and people have already decided for me a couple times what’s going to happen. It’s all outside, and we’ll handle everything, and everything will sort itself out. I want what’s best for me, family, team and everything. So, there’s a lot of factors that go into it. I know everybody kind of wants an answer right now, but that’s not how the world works. You don’t always get what you want, too. Lou is a great guy.
I love playing for him. He’s a great man. He’s done a lot for me. He’s given me a great opportunity the last seven years I’ve had him, and he’s an influential guy in hockey in general.
Nelson holds a 16-team no-trade clause and has been linked to joining the Minnesota Wild this upcoming offseason, the same GM, Bill Guerin, who selected Nelson onto Team USA. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli has Nelson listed as the top trade target heading into the deadline, and had this to say on the ongoing chatter:
Nelson is a lifelong Islander, part of the fold since he was picked in the first round the year following John Tavares. But he’s a pending UFA and the Islanders don’t appear to be going anywhere fast. There is solid interest, most notably from his home state of Minnesota, whose GM Bill Guerin selected Nelson for Team USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off entry. Nelson is the most impactful retal center available, even if Nelson’s on track for his fewest goals and points in a non-shortened season since 2017-18
The Islanders enter the 4 Nations Face-Off break with a 25-23-7 record, sitting just four points outside of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their first week back into NHL action will be interesting to watch as it will directly impact Nelson's future.
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
