Eyes On Isles
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Islanders Need More From Brock Nelson

By Matt O'Leary

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 30: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders takes the puck in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on January 30, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 30: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders takes the puck in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on January 30, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Barry Trotz’s arrival to Long Island has paid dividends in a ton of ways over the past two years. It’s abundantly clear that the Islanders are well-coached on a nightly basis and the team has a whole has just taken that next step as a group.

On an individual basis, arguably no one has received a bigger bump than Brock Nelson since Trotz came on board in 2018. He’s put up 110 points in 159 games with Trotz which is a pace of 57 points over a full season.

For context, before Trotz came he had 188 points in 398 games which is a pace of 39 points over a full season. Clearly, he’s a much better player now.

With all that being said, the Islanders need more from him at this point in the 2021 season. He has just three points so far in the team’s nine games.

New York Islanders need more from Brock Nelson

Nelson has two goals on the year, both of which have come on the power play. He’s gone the last five games without a goal as well after having two in the first four. His lone assist was a secondary assist at 5v5. One point at 5v5 in nine games isn’t going to cut it from your second-line center.

According to Natural Stat Trick, Nelson has a GF% of 16.67 at 5v5. Only Anthony Beauvillier and Ross Johnston have a lower percentage as players who have played in more than one game. The weird part is Nelson is on the ice for a significant number of high danger chances.

His HDCF% is 62.07 meaning he is on the ice for a significant number of high danger chances for but still has just one assist at 5v5 through nine games.

I understand that Anthony Beauvillier’s injury has kind of derailed that second line but even when they were all together, neither Beauvillier, Nelson, or Josh Bailey have been able to get anything going.

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For a while it was just the top line giving this team any offensive production at 5v5. If this team wants to have any chance of digging themselves out of this early hole, they need their better players, like Nelson to figure it out.

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