New York Islanders Predicting Three UFA Contract Extensions

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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders skates against the Washington Capitals at the Barclays Center on September 28, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Brock Nelson | C

Brock Nelson is having one heck of a season. He went from being a third line winger and maybe a center last season. To one of the few players that Barry Trotz trusts in any situation. It’s incredible what a little bit of faith has done for Brock Nelson.

The New York Islanders former 30th overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft is one of the teams better two-way players. That’s not something you could say last season. Backchecking and Brock Nelson were two words that were never said in the same sentence until Barry Trotz sat behind the Isles bench.

Brock is implicated and performing on a nightly basis. With 17 goals and 34 points in 53 games, Brock Nelson is on pace for a career-high 53 points.

So what is a two-way center that can score 20+ goals and 50+ points?

Carolina just signed Teuvo Teravainen to a five-year $27 million deal ($5.4 million AAV). Teravainen has 48 points in 54 games this season, has already scored 64 points in a full NHL season and is three years younger than Nelson.

That Teravainen deal has to be the ceiling for Nelson. He’s currently making $4.25 million. Raising him to $5.4 represents a $1.15 million increase. A four-year deal keeps Nelson with the Isles until he turns 31 years old. That’s still young enough to get one more multi-year pay-day and the Islanders don’t have to commit long term to a player that will be well outside his peak.