TSN Insider Reports Toronto Maple Leafs are Officially Targeting Brock Nelson
A new report has linked Brock Nelson as a potential option for the Toronto Maple Leafs as the team looks desperately to improve their forward group amidst injuries.
Although they originally only had captain Auston Matthews out, the list has grown and grown in the past couple of weeks, with now names like Max Domi and Matthew Knies landing themselves on the IR.
Toronto needs help down the middle, not only because Brad Treliving wants to add a more defensive approach to his forward corps, but desperately needs a healthy body to stay in the lineup.
A name that has popped up recently that seems the perfect fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs: New York Islanders center Brock Nelson.
TSN's Mike Johnson on 'Overdrive' suggested Nelson as a potential replacement for the injured Leafs who's collective time out is unclear.
Why Should Toronto Target Brock Nelson?
Nelson, 33, has 8 goals and 13 points in 21 games for the New York Islanders this season. Nelson has had three back-to-back 30-goal seasons with the Islanders. Nelson has played his entire 13-year NHL career in New York, appearing in 861 total games with the club.
Nelson, currently a free agent at the end of this upcoming season, is making $6M this season, which would make it likely that Toronto, or any team involved in a trade for Nelson, would want retention on a deal, whether from the Islanders or from a third party, or both.
A big advantage for the Leafs is Brock Nelson having a connection to the heart of the Leafs, having been a teammate of John Tavares in Nelson's first six seasons with the Islanders from 2012-2018.
Toronto needs to target Nelson due to not only his unbelievable scoring potential, but he adds faceoff acumen, penalty, and powerplay experience, fits Treliving's mold of big bodies, and has success in the playoffs.
Brock Nelson was part of a promising young talent that grew his game further with John Tavares departing for Toronto in 2019, taking what he learned from Tavares and becoming one of the Islanders mainstays and a household name in Long Island.
Would New York Want To Trade Nelson?
The Islanders have not indicated they are going to be sellers, although they sit just out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders could start moving pieces if they don't improve from their current play, but a push into a playoff spot or near contention makes a deal for Nelson seem less likely.
The New York Islanders are currently fifth in the Metropolitan Division with an 8-8-5 record in 21 games for 21 points. The team isn't in full-on panic mode yet, but GM Lou Lamoriello tends to act irrationally if things don't turn around quickly.
FAQ: Insider Names Brock Nelson As Prime Maple Leafs Trade Target
Q1: Why was Brock Nelson named as a trade target?
A1: Brock Nelson is named as a trade target for Toronto due to his offensive potential, playoff experience, and defensive skillset. Toronto needs a third-line center who can score, play defense, kill penalties, and be a consistent player on the ice, and Nelson offers all of that to the team.
Q2: Will New York trade Brock Nelson?
A2: It's hard to say, but it depends on whether or not they are in a playoff spot or falling in the standings. The team doesn't want to act too hastily, but they aren't willing to wait around for things to improve either, especially if they can benefit from it.
In closing, Brock Nelson is a prime target for Toronto to trade for thanks to his offensive and defensive skillset, his playoff experience, and the connection he has to John Tavares. He has shown himself to be one of the league's better players, and Toronto could benefit immensely from him.
