Report: Islanders Looking To Make Big Move With Brock Nelson

New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson has been one of the most-talked-about players in the rumor mill this season. It is understandable, as he is a pending unrestricted free agent, and while the Islanders have been heating up down the stretch, they still don't have a playoff spot.

However, while Nelson has generated trade buzz, a trade does not appear to be automatic. In Sportsnet's Feb. 8 episode of Saturday Headlines, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Islanders are about to make a big push to get Nelson signed to a contract extension.

"Some other names to keep an eye on, Brock Nelson is the one that a lot of people are really watching to see what happens to him," Friedman said. "I think the Islanders are about to begin a real attempt to try to sign him, and we'll see how that develops over the next couple of weeks."

Nelson has been an incredibly part of the Islanders' roster over the last several seasons, so it is understandable that their hope is to keep him around. The 33-year-old forward has appeared in 55 games this season with the Islanders, where he has 17 goals, 35 points, and a plus-1 rating. This is after he scored at least 34 goals over each of the three previous seasons.

It will be very intriguing to see what happens between the Islanders and Nelson from here. If the Islanders and the veteran forward can't get a deal done, a trade still could very well occur.