Brock Nelson discusses 4 Nations and his future with the NY Islanders on 32 Thoughts podcast

While the 4 Nations Face-Off is something hockey fans are all looking forward to (for the most part), there's still the elephant in the room surrounding Nelson's future with the Islanders.

Yesterday, Nelson spoke to the media and didn't exactly give the most ringing endorsement that he'd be back with the team next year despite rumors of a 3-year contract being offered. Friedman followed up, asking Nelson how he hopes the next three weeks will pan out for him before the March 7 trade deadline.

"I know everything will sort itself out," Nelson responded. "First and foremost it's just kind of this (4 Nations) for me - it's kind of nice to just put everything on the back burner and not worry about it too much. But I love Lou [Lamoriello], I've known him for a long time, played for him for a long time. He's a great man. My agent, him, and I all have a great relationship - always communicating...I don't really know anything different other than Long Island. I love it there, love playing there and we'll figure everything out and I'm sure everyone will be discussing things in depth over the next couple of weeks."

It has always seemed as if players are hesitant about joining the Islanders during free agency. It's not a big city and there's an unsurety about life in the suburbs. But it has always been that once players come to Long Island, especially those with a family, they find it difficult to leave. Nelson, who has a family of his own and is a lifelong Islander, is experiencing that same thing.

"Obviously now, kids are older, kids are in school, there's a little bit more logistics and life that factor into it and decisions that have to be made, all pending on what happens via hockey and a contract," Nelson says. "All that combined is something that goes into it, but at the end of the day, I think my wife has been great with it, with the kids. We're in a good stable spot. Everyone's taken care of. We'll figure everything out."