Islanders: 3 other players who deserved to go to All-Star Game

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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 14: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders prepares to take a faceoff during the first period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Brock Nelson

Brock Nelson has been the Islanders second-best player since Barry Trotz took over in 2018. The much-maligned center had a standout year in 2018-19 when he scored a career-high 53 points.

Not only was he putting up points but Nelson was the Islanders best two-way player from day one all the way through to the end of the season. Something we had yet to see in Nelson’s five previous seasons with the team.

This season, Nelson is building off that career-year in 2018-19. Through 38 games Nelson has 14 goals and 30 points. That puts him on pace for 30 goals and 65 points by the end of the season.

He’s been used in all situations by Barry Trotz and is counted on to be a big part of everything the Islanders do. He’s undoubtedly been an All-Star for the Islanders this season.

To their credit, the NHL has taken note and placed Brock Nelson on their “Last Man-In” Ballot. So if a player or multiple players from the Metro can’t show, or don’t show, Nelson could have a shot at stepping in.

With Alex Ovechkin already stating he won’t go and Jake Guentzel picking up an injury the Metro division is already short 20 percent of their All-Star roster. Specifically, they’re down two of their primary goal scorers. Brock Nelson fits a “need” if that’s even a thing at the All-Star game.

I hope that with two open spots Brock Nelson goes to the All-Star. That means two of the most maligned Islanders players of the decade – Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson – will have made the All-Star Game due to their outstanding play.