The Maple Leafs remain linked in trade talks with star player of the Islanders
The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't stopped in their quest to possibly acquire Islanders' Brock Nelson, as trade talks remain ongoing between the two teams.
Brock Nelson is not letting talk of a possible trade distract him. The New York Islanders' 30-goal center knows that his name is on every trade bulletin, that there are less than three weeks to the NHL deadline, that his nine-year residency on Long Island is up for grabs, and that making or falling out of contention is far from clear.
His club is on the bubble. But for now, though, he is enjoying a nice pace of life, wearing a Team USA jersey at the 4 Nations, playing games in unfamiliar cities, spending time with his wife Karley and four kids, and trying to keep trade talks on hold.
«It's a mental break,» Nelson said Tuesday, from the contract chatter. «It's something you kind of put on pause a little bit just being here.»
But there is also a decision on or by March 7 by him, his agent Ben Hankinson, and Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello that is needed.
"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," said Nelson, who holds a 16-team no-trade list.
"It's all outside, and we'll handle everything, and everything will sort itself out."
"It's all outside, and we'll handle everything, and everything will sort itself out."
If the Islanders are a playoff team by the deadline, Nelson likely stays
The trio is on good terms, but with New York losing two consecutive games before the 4 Nations break, and being four points out of a wild-card spot, his fate is far from set.
The New York roster is aging, Mathew Barzal and Noah Dobson have been out of the lineup due to injury, meaning losing him might reap valuable assets on what is thin on top-six centers around the league.
His cap hit is manageable ($6 million prorated), but his actual pay is that much better ($4 million prorated), making him that much sweeter.
The Toronto Maple Leafs remain very much on the prowl to add on skill by the deadline to beef up their roster for a post-4 Nations make-or-break.
Nelson, taken by Islanders in 2010, built a life on Long Island through his wife Karley, and their four kids. He is content there, but by March 7, his life might very well change forever.
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