Brock Nelson knows how special it would be to finish his career with the Islanders (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The New York Islanders are a team that have several pending unrestricted free agents heading into the NHL Trade Deadline which include center Brock Nelson.
Nelson enters the final season of his contract with the Islanders and is a part of Team USA at the Four Nations Face-Off. There’s an intensity surrounding the tournament, and he’s hoping to carry over his play with the Islanders to Team USA once the puck drops Thursday.
Speculation continues, as RG reported last Friday, that Nelson and the Islanders are working on an extension, but he sees this tournament as a welcome distraction as he looks to focus on his game.
With the Four Nations Face-Off about to begin on Thursday for Team USA, New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson is looking forward to the welcome mental break.
“I think it's a mental break. It's something you kind of put on pause a little bit just being here.
Yeah, I think it's different environment got a little different going on, and solely just focused on enjoying this experience right now, and I have family coming in to kind of soak it up and be with me.”
Dealing With The Trade Talks
However, Nelson knows that he can't escape the noise and speculation surrounding his uncertain future with the Islanders. Though he is focused on playing, Nelson knows everything will work out, as he will leave that up to his agent and general manager Lou Lamoriello.
“I mean, like I said, I think everything will work itself out. Lou and I have a great relationship, and there's definitely time still. So I said, I know there's a lot of speculation from outside and different things, and people have already decided for me a couple of times what's going to happen. It's all outside noise, and we'll handle everything, and everything will sort itself out.”
The Islanders are four points out of a playoff spot, and their general manager is not in the mindset of rebuilding. That is not his style. Lamoriello believes in this group and is not in the mood to sell off players. As RG reported in December, unless the Islanders really fall off, he will not be inclined to move out his players for future assets. There is a good chance he looks to add to the team, as Lamoriello is always in win-now mode.
Wanting to Sign an Extension
Nelson knows there will be many factors in his decision to sign an extension with the Islanders, including the general manager, but he will do what is best for him and his family.
“I mean, I want what's best for me, my family, my team, and everything. So there are a lot of factors that go into it. Everything will sort itself out. Like I said, Lou's a great guy. I love playing for him. He's a great man, he's done a lot for me, and he gave me a great opportunity,” said Nelson. “My agent has a great relationship with him and communicates with him. And I know everything will kind of sort itself out.”
Nelson knows what it means to play for just one franchise. It was Lamoriello who gave him the current six-year deal that is ending this year. Back then, Nelson was coming off a one-year deal. Now he’s in a different position. Nelson exclusively broke down to RG he understands the legacy of the New York Islanders and what it would mean to finish his career there.
Despite Nelson being pegged as one of the top rental candidates leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline, it doesn’t look like either party wants his time on Long Island to end just yet.
Jim Biringer
