With the NHL trade deadline approaching, several teams are getting serious about New York Islanders centerman Brock Nelson. Coming in at No. 1 on Daily Faceoff's Trade Targets board, he's a great fit for a number of teams.
Below, analyst Frank Seravalli identifies five possible destinations: the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Nelson, a pending unrestricted free agent carrying a $6 million cap hit, has remained productive through the struggles of the Islanders. He has 28 points in 46 games while averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game.
Though some teams will need the Islanders to retain his salary, others are in a position to take on his full cap hit. The Islanders are unlikely to make the playoffs, and with that, it seems Nelson is destined for a move.
The Minnesota Wild almost seem like a natural fit. A Minnesota native, Nelson would improve their lineup and give them a hometown storyline in their playoff push. The Athletic's Michael Russo adds he can also be a long-term asset to the Wild.
Another contender looking to patch up roster gaps at center, the Winnipeg Jets could get the job done with Nelson serving as such.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils might look at Nelson as a proven alternative to center-depth upgrades that are younger, such as Simon Nemec.
The Boston Bruins might view Nelson as an impactful rental, pending their strategy heading into the deadline.
Finally, the Carolina Hurricanes, who have been tied to a number of big names, might pivot to Nelson if their pursuits of other players like Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller do not happen.