Maple Leafs' Price to Land Brock Nelson from the Islanders Revealed, per Insider
The New York Islanders are on the cusp of a playoff spot and are still contemplating trading Brock Nelson, and one NHL Insider has named Toronto's price.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs looking to make a splash for an offensively gifted but defensively sound third-line center, there are a lot of checkmarks that a player needs to fit in order to secure his spot among the team's best.
Not only does the player need to play a complete two-way game, but help out on the powerplay, penalty kill, and be a consistent playoff producer. It's a hard line to draw and it leaves some candidates out of contention.
But one player the Maple Leafs can target is Brock Nelson; he fits all the criteria and would be a big enough target to make an impact but not one that matches the level of their current superstars and NHL Insider Dave Pagnotta has named his price.
Brock Nelson's Trade Package Includes Nicholas Robertson
Speaking on his show 'The Latest', Pagnotta spoke about a variety of topics and touched on the Maple Leafs' need for a third-line center and narrowed down Brock Nelson, and what it would take in order to bring him aboard:
Mid-six perhaps, interchangeable type piece that can come in there, stabilize a second or third here.
Another team with not a lot of cap space, it's going to take a little bit of creativity for Brad Treliving.
One name we've heard since the offseason is Nick Robertson, he's a player still out there he has a little bit of value from the dollar perspective if they move him for some assets, and maybe flip those assets to solidify their middle six.
Do they circle in on Brock Nelson who will cost a first and a prospect or do you go after someone with less of a cost and salary cap hit."
Nelson would cost a pretty penny but would be worth it for Treliving and the Maple Leafs.
Having what could be a down year, he has 12 goals and 13 assists for the Islanders but is coming off three straight seasons where he had 30+ goals.
He's huge at 6'4, 210 pounds and would provide that much needed front of the net presence at both ends of the ice. This year he's also been incredible at faceoffs, nearly sitting at 54%; a 10% jump almost from last season.
He doesn't throw many hits or block a ton of shots but he plays great defense and has a knack of being in the right spot to break out, or to disrupt opponents.
Nelson has never missed hitting double digits in goals, and has 50 points in 78 playoff games to boot, so he would be a massive boost in that regard.
Robertson this season has been front and center of trade speculation and after a blistering preseason where he looked to be the next breakout star, he's only scored seven goals and four assists in 36 games and was often a healthy scratch.
The main caveat for Nelson is his contract. He's making $6M and while he is a free agent at season's end, it might be hard to throw another first rounder plus a potential mid-high tier prospect for only a few months of Nelson, unless they want to re-sign him and eschew bringing Mitch Marner back.
There's also the issue of whether or not New York even wants to get rid of him, especially given how tight the Eastern Conference playoff race is. Lou Lamoriello will try and stretch Brad Treliving thin and will only give up Nelson if the 'Wow' factor is there.
It's still a longshot but if Brad Treliving wants to ensure his team is in the best possible spot, perhaps a deal involving Robertson, a mid-tier prospect and fingers crossed for Treliving; a bunch of picks not involving his first is enough.
But nothing is for certain, and Toronto could end up finding the piece they always needed, or lose out on not only a strong playoff run, but a potential strong future as well.
