NHL trade rumors: Insider reports $36,000,000 NY Islanders forward Brock Nelson has generated interest in trade market

Trade rumors are growing around New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson. The 33-year-old's six-year, $36 million contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season.

NHL insiders Kate Pettersen and David Pagnotta discussed the Islanders' strategy on The Fourth Period's "The Latest."

They noted general manager Lou Lamoriello might delay trade decisions until the team's playoff chances are clearer. The Islanders are seventh in the Metropolitan Division standings.

(6:19) "If a month from now, after the 4 Nations tournament, if they look at their club and say, ‘Okay, we've got a legitimate shot at making the postseason, I think Lou might hold firm, but if they remain in the same position, they will continue to generate interest from these players," Pagnotta said on Tuesday.

Pagnotta said teams are already expressing interest in Nelson and teammate Kyle Palmieri. Both players could bring strong returns, including first-round draft picks and prospects.

"This is a good opportunity for the Islanders to pivot a little bit on the season, collect some strong assets, get some young prospects back in the cupboard, fill that up a little bit and be aggressive in the summer come free agency, which I think might be the plan for the NY Islanders," Pagnotta added.

Nelson has 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 38 games this season. He performs better in wins, where he has recorded nine points with a plus-minus of 6, including two game-winning goals. His plus-minus rating drops in losses to -11. Over his career, Nelson has 552 points in 878 games and 43 game-winning goals.

Time for NY Islanders to improve heading into 2025

The New York Islanders are 14-17-7 this season under coach Patrick Roy. After the 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, Roy said:

"We had a lot of chances, we didn't give them much. That was a hard-fought; both teams played well. We had our chances to score goals, and we did not."

They will face the Maple Leafs again on Thursday.

The Islanders score 2.63 goals per game but allow 3.18, struggling on both ends of the ice: their power play (11.3%) and their penalty kill (63.9%). Anders Lee leads the team with 16 goals and 30 points, while Bo Horvat has 17 assists.