NHLTR Mock Trade: New York Islanders trade Brock Nelson to Winnipeg Jets

Our latest mock trade series entry heads to Long Island. New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson is a pending free agent, and a player who has been at the top of mostly every trade targets list this season. Nelson's versatility to play the wing and down the middle of the ice make him an attractive top-six option, who can help boost an offense instantly. 

While Nelson's admitted he's going to do the best for his family this summer, there's growing speculation about a trade before the NHL's trade deadline March 7, and a link between Nelson and a Western Conference team.

NHLTR Mock Trade: Islanders trade Brock Nelson to Winnipeg Jets for Rasmus Kupari and 2025 first-round pick.

The Jets are in the market for a second-line center to play behind Mark Scheifele, and there isn't anyone better suited, who is available, than Nelson. He's scored 17 goals and 35 points in 55 games this year, and gives the Jets another strong faceoff presence, at over 53% on the season.

Kupari is 24 years old, a former first-round pick of the LA Kings, and gives the Islanders a potential top-nine forward for next season. They also land a first-round pick, which is certainly going to be the going rate for rentals this season, after both Marcus Pettersson and Mikael Granlund/Cody Ceci fetched one the past few weeks. 

Jets' GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is never shy to make trades pre-deadline, and give his team a chance to finally get over the hump and into at least the Western Conference Final. The thing is, don't expect Nelson to re-sign in Winnipeg after this mock trade, as he's been tied to the Minnesota Wild, and one of his biggest fans in Wild GM Bill Guerin.

Photo credit:  James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images