NHL insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic recently stated that New York Islanders All-Star, Brock Nelson, “intends to test free agency on July 1st, [2025].” This comment came weeks after LeBrun stated he could “see the [Dallas Stars]” using the cap space they have received from placing Tyler Seguin on the long-term injured reserve list due to injury on a center in the trade market. He also listed Nelson as a trade target of the Minnesota Wild.
Could the Islanders Sell?
The Islanders certainly didn’t envision sitting at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division at this point in the season, but here they are. With only 13 wins in their first 35 games of the 2024-25 campaign, they face an uphill battle to climb past five teams and erase a six-point deficit in the Eastern Conference standings if they hope to secure a playoff berth.
After making the playoffs last season and retaining their core roster during the 2024 offseason, expectations were understandably higher. Additions like Maxim Tsyplakov and Anthony Duclair only bolstered optimism. However, a surplus of injuries, historically bad special teams, and a lack of consistency have derailed the team, prompting calls for the Islanders to consider selling off their pending free agents.
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General Manager Lou Lamoriello, who has led the franchise since 2018, has never sold at a trade deadline. The closest instance came during the 2018-19 and 2023-24 seasons when he stood pat amid uncertainty about playoff qualification, allowing the team’s fate to unfold naturally. In 2022-23, despite having several key players on expiring contracts, Lamoriello opted to add Pierre Engvall at the deadline before the Islanders narrowly missed the playoffs. He subsequently extended Engvall and other prominent free agents like Scott Mayfield to long-term deals.
Given Lamoriello’s track record, it’s difficult to envision him shifting gears and selling at this year’s deadline, though the possibility cannot be ruled out entirely. The current roster is now four years removed from a significant playoff run, and the organization has cycled through three head coaches during that span. With the team clearly lacking the pieces to contend for a Stanley Cup, and considering Nelson’s age and potential desire to test free agency, Lamoriello may have little choice but to move the veteran center.
Nelson’s Value
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