New York Islanders: Brock Nelson Heating Up Before Deadline Is Fantastic

With seven points in the last four games, Brock Nelson is heating up at the perfect time for the New York Islanders to showcase him.

There’s an old saying in sports which is one of my favorites “trade him while he’s hot.” It essentially means to trade a player when they are playing well so you can get the best value for him. That’s exactly what the New York Islanders should be looking to do with Brock Nelson.

Streaky players like Brock Nelson are the epitome of the “trade him while he’s hot” ideology. Brock has recently resurged from a long slumber. How could we forget Brock Nelson going 55 periods without a goal? It was one of the more entertaining gimmicks we’ve done in a while.

If Garth Snow was smart, which is saying a lot, he would be trying to use Brock Nelson as a trade chip.

In his last four games, Nelson has seven points (4 goals, 3 assists). We all know what Brock Nelson is. He’s a very hot and then cold player and right now he’s as hot as can be and it comes right at the perfect time.

In just 16 days is the NHL trade deadline. We should be hoping for Brock to continue the hot streak that he is on so he can be a piece used in a package to acquire a defenseman.

Clearly, the Islanders defense is a gigantic problem especially with the loss of Calvin de Haan for the year. Now you can make the argument that the Islanders bottom six is a problem as well and with Brock finally scoring wouldn’t you want some depth on the third line.

The reason why you sacrifice a Brock Nelson is because you have Josh Ho-Sang in the minors who can provide offense to the third line and also the defense is a much more prominent issue than the bottom six scoring.

Now, Brock can’t be the centerpiece for a trade but you would be nieve to think that he doesn’t offer some value to another General Manager.

With asking prices so high, in order to acquire anyone worthwhile you’re likely going to have to part with a high pick, a current NHL player, and a prospect. Luckily, the Islanders have two first rounders and two-second rounders to play with in this year’s draft.

Brock Nelson is 26 years old and generally someone who will give you 20 or more goals in a season. I would think that there’s an NHL GM out there somewhere who is willing to take a chance on him benefitting from a change of scenery.

Next: Islanders Can't Keep Playing Catchup

Go get yourself a top-four defenseman and don’t be afraid to part ways with a first rounder and a guy like Brock who can be replaced. It’s really time the Islanders try to improve their top-four. I can’t keep watching the goalies face 40 or more shots a night.