SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson can become an unrestricted free agent next July. The 32-year-old center is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a 16-team no-trade list.

Lamoriello won’t trade Nelson if he’s still playing up to his usual standard and the Islanders are in playoff contention. However, he could become a prime trade candidate if they’re out of contention by the March trade deadline.

In that case, Nelson’s performance will determine his trade value. A first-rounder isn’t out of the question but his age likely means the highest pick the Isles could get is a second-rounder in a package deal. They won’t get any top prospects for him but they could get a decent NHL forward comparable to Bunting.

Not very inspiring.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson can become an unrestricted free agent next July. The 32-year-old center is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a 16-team no-trade list.

Lamoriello won’t trade Nelson if he’s still playing up to his usual standard and the Islanders are in playoff contention. However, he could become a prime trade candidate if they’re out of contention by the March trade deadline.

In that case, Nelson’s performance will determine his trade value. A first-rounder isn’t out of the question but his age likely means the highest pick the Isles could get is a second-rounder in a package deal. They won’t get any top prospects for him but they could get a decent NHL forward comparable to Bunting.

Not very inspiring.
- Nfdbulldawg

Spector is an idiot. Nelson's age isn't going to affect anything if he's a deadline rental. Teams pay 1st rounders+ all the time for rental players and their age doesn't mean anything if they're producing in that season.

If they do end up trading him, the only things that will affect his trade value will be his health and his production. If he's on pace for a fourth straight 30-35 goal season then he's going to get at least a 1st rounder, probably more...especially so if the Islanders retain salary. A healthy and productive Brock Nelson at a $3M full-year cap hit will fit on a lot of contending teams and be worth quite a bit.

Spector is an idiot. Nelson's age isn't going to affect anything if he's a deadline rental. Teams pay 1st rounders+ all the time for rental players and their age doesn't mean anything if they're producing in that season.

If they do end up trading him, the only things that will affect his trade value will be his health and his production. If he's on pace for a fourth straight 30-35 goal season then he's going to get at least a 1st rounder, probably more...especially so if the Islanders retain salary. A healthy and productive Brock Nelson at a $3M full-year cap hit will fit on a lot of contending teams and be worth quite a bit.
- eichiefs9

Out of all these experts, Spector is usually pretty accurate and pretty fair with his assessments. If there is a bidding war for his services and he is producing like he has been. I am sure the package will be reflected of that. I would be more worried that we are out of the race.

I still think we are one or two forwards (a top 6) and a top 4 D away.

https://thehockeynews.com...an-foundation-golf-outing

I have had the pleasure of becoming a friend of Joe. Throughout my son's youth and junior career, he has cut and maintained his skates. As my son enters his college days he will once again turn to Joe for his services.

As an islander fan there is nothing more fun, exciting, and interesting, than to sit and listen to Joe's stories about his time with the team.

In this day and age, it nice to know that there are genuine selfless people like Joe. Great Family and a Great Person.

https://thehockeynews.com...an-foundation-golf-outing

I have had the pleasure of becoming a friend of Joe. Throughout my son's youth and junior career, he has cut and maintained his skates. As my son enters his college days he will once again turn to Joe for his services.

As an islander fan there is nothing more fun, exciting, and interesting, than to sit and listen to Joe's stories about his time with the team.

In this day and age, it nice to know that there are genuine selfless people like Joe. Great Family and a Great Person.
- Nfdbulldawg

thanks for sharing this, love to see people come together for a good cause

https://thehockeynews.com...an-foundation-golf-outing

I have had the pleasure of becoming a friend of Joe. Throughout my son's youth and junior career, he has cut and maintained his skates. As my son enters his college days he will once again turn to Joe for his services.

As an islander fan there is nothing more fun, exciting, and interesting, than to sit and listen to Joe's stories about his time with the team.

In this day and age, it nice to know that there are genuine selfless people like Joe. Great Family and a Great Person.
- Nfdbulldawg

I actually had the chance to talk to him for a little last summer at that outing. My buddy owns a restaurant that was a sponsor and had an employee bail last minute that was supposed to work it for him so I did him a solid and handed out some food for a few hours. Obviously don't know him like you do but he seemed like a real good guy.

https://www.msn.com/en-us...c96a7a219f97d23ab75&ei=13

Nothing groundbreaking, but some words from Lou. The last sentence of the interview will please Capt:

"I feel good about this group, and we want to get camp started, see what some of our young players can do, how they develop."

https://thehockeynews.com...an-foundation-golf-outing

I have had the pleasure of becoming a friend of Joe. Throughout my son's youth and junior career, he has cut and maintained his skates. As my son enters his college days he will once again turn to Joe for his services.

As an islander fan there is nothing more fun, exciting, and interesting, than to sit and listen to Joe's stories about his time with the team.

In this day and age, it nice to know that there are genuine selfless people like Joe. Great Family and a Great Person.
- Nfdbulldawg

I wholeheartedly agree. Joe took care of both of my kids skates. Super nice guy!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/islanders-gm-lou-lamoriello-1-on-1-new-coaching-staff-working-with-patrick-roy-and-more/ar-AA1ojHLP?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=98b0a2c7de2c4c96a7a219f97d23ab75&ei=13

Nothing groundbreaking, but some words from Lou. The last sentence of the interview will please Capt:

"I feel good about this group, and we want to get camp started, see what some of our young players can do, how they develop."
- streaks

If Lou feels good about this group so do I. These feelings he’s had over the last three years about this group has bought us great success.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/islanders-gm-lou-lamoriello-1-on-1-new-coaching-staff-working-with-patrick-roy-and-more/ar-AA1ojHLP?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=98b0a2c7de2c4c96a7a219f97d23ab75&ei=13

Nothing groundbreaking, but some words from Lou. The last sentence of the interview will please Capt:

"I feel good about this group, and we want to get camp started, see what some of our young players can do, how they develop."
- streaks

After reading this, my take away was Lou giving the formula responses. When asked flat out about Martin and Clutterbuck not returning, he responded with how they’ve been here a while and should be acknowledged. Perfect canned response for a non answer. Dodge the question and praise the (former) players.

Personally I think Lou is hoping the isles can squeeze in and he’s gonna be a deadline buyer…

After reading this, my take away was Lou giving the formula responses. When asked flat out about Martin and Clutterbuck not returning, he responded with how they’ve been here a while and should be acknowledged. Perfect canned response for a non answer. Dodge the question and praise the (former) players.

Personally I think Lou is hoping the isles can squeeze in and he’s gonna be a deadline buyer…
- kindlyrick

I agree on the first part of bolded, don't have an opinion yet on the second part. I don't think they're buying unless they're in a playoff spot or very close to one.

If they're way outside the picture I don't see them being buyers at the deadline. And if they're way outside of a playoff spot, they absolutely need to sell Nelson and Palmieri at a minimum.

After reading this, my take away was Lou giving the formula responses. When asked flat out about Martin and Clutterbuck not returning, he responded with how they’ve been here a while and should be acknowledged. Perfect canned response for a non answer. Dodge the question and praise the (former) players.

Personally I think Lou is hoping the isles can squeeze in and he’s gonna be a deadline buyer…
- kindlyrick

That may come down to if Sorokin bounces back or not. If he doesn't the Isles are going to be in trouble.

I agree on the first part of bolded, don't have an opinion yet on the second part. I don't think they're buying unless they're in a playoff spot or very close to one.

If they're way outside the picture I don't see them being buyers at the deadline. And if they're way outside of a playoff spot, they absolutely need to sell Nelson and Palmieri at a minimum.
- eichiefs9

Agreed. If they are out of it and decide to trade Nelson at the deadline, he’d bring back a really nice return. That would be the impetus behind a rebuild but I don’t see Lou doing that.
I liked the Duclair signing as it costs nothing to bring him in, but once again the isles end up with the Temu version of a 1LW.

That may come down to if Sorokin bounces back or not. If he doesn't the Isles are going to be in trouble.
- JimmyP

Yeah I wonder how much Sorokin will improve having is Russian coach with the organization. I agree with you though….the isles win and lose with how Sorokin performs.

Agreed. If they are out of it and decide to trade Nelson at the deadline, he’d bring back a really nice return. That would be the impetus behind a rebuild but I don’t see Lou doing that.
I liked the Duclair signing as it costs nothing to bring him in, but once again the isles end up with the Temu version of a 1LW.
- kindlyrick

I don't necessarily think trading Nelson and Palmieri would signal a full rebuild. For arguments sake, I'm going to say both will produce similarly to last season and both could get a 1st rounder (Nelson probably more). If they have three 1st round picks, they can move one or two of them to bring in some replacement help for the following season. They're going to have to do it at some point and I feel like accelerating it a little will maximize the return on the few valuable assets they do have. Otherwise they're just going to wait until everyone rots and has no value or is let go in free agency.

I don't necessarily think trading Nelson and Palmieri would signal a full rebuild. For arguments sake, I'm going to say both will produce similarly to last season and both could get a 1st rounder (Nelson probably more). If they have three 1st round picks, they can move one or two of them to bring in some replacement help for the following season. They're going to have to do it at some point and I feel like accelerating it a little will maximize the return on the few valuable assets they do have. Otherwise they're just going to wait until everyone rots and has no value or is let go in free agency.
- eichiefs9

Yeah I don’t expect a full rebuild as we all agree the ownership wants to fill that new building. But a change like Nelson and Palmieri would give them some serious assets to negotiate. I just don’t know if Lou is the guy. Nothing against him, and I do believe he was the right choice after Snow, but a part of me feels like the game has passed him by.

Yeah I don’t expect a full rebuild as we all agree the ownership wants to fill that new building. But a change like Nelson and Palmieri would give them some serious assets to negotiate. I just don’t know if Lou is the guy. Nothing against him, and I do believe he was the right choice after Snow, but a part of me feels like the game has passed him by.
- kindlyrick

He's definitely not the guy to lead them through that. And I fully agree he was the right choice after Snow. I'll spare everyone my 433rd post about my compliments and criticisms of what he's done.

This will ultimately be a wait-and-see kind of season. Trade deadline is March 6th and there's lots of hockey to be played between October and then.

He's definitely not the guy to lead them through that. And I fully agree he was the right choice after Snow. I'll spare everyone my 433rd post about my compliments and criticisms of what he's done.

This will ultimately be a wait-and-see kind of season. Trade deadline is March 6th and there's lots of hockey to be played between October and then.
- eichiefs9

It’s gonna be interesting to see what this Russian kid can do. There’s an absolute chance he adds scoring.

It’s gonna be interesting to see what this Russian kid can do. There’s an absolute chance he adds scoring.
- kindlyrick

I'm going in with no expectations. He had a phenomenal season in the KHL last year but was relatively unspectacular, production-wise, in the 4-5 seasons before that.

Seems like we know he'll bring some physicality but I'm not counting on any offense. If he brings some then it's a fantastic job by Lou. If he's just a bottom-six banger that's great too, since he was a free asset and won't eat up much cap if they keep him.

I'm going in with no expectations. He had a phenomenal season in the KHL last year but was relatively unspectacular, production-wise, in the 4-5 seasons before that.

Seems like we know he'll bring some physicality but I'm not counting on any offense. If he brings some then it's a fantastic job by Lou. If he's just a bottom-six banger that's great too, since he was a free asset and won't eat up much cap if they keep him.
- eichiefs9

If he comes in and plays a two way game and bangs some bodies he’ll be fine. Hopefully the offense comes after that. If he doesn’t do the first part he won’t have a chance to get to the second part. I always get excited about these players even though they rarely work out. Hopefully this one does.

55 more days until preseason.

i miss hockey

If he comes in and plays a two way game and bangs some bodies he’ll be fine. Hopefully the offense comes after that. If he doesn’t do the first part he won’t have a chance to get to the second part. I always get excited about these players even though they rarely work out. Hopefully this one does.
- Cptmjl

I’m with you on the excitement part. The thing with Russians is they tend to always have skill. Hopefully it translates to a 2 way NHL game

53 more days until preseason.