Brock Nelson reportedly rejects extension offer; will be traded by NY Islanders

Will he or won't he? Througout the day on Thursday, there was speculation that the New York Islanders and GM Lou Lamoriello were still trying to work out an extension with UFA Brock Nelson rather than make the league's top trade target available. Then, later in the evening, Arthur Staple, beat writer for the The Athletic reported "sounds like Brock Nelson will be traded"

That social media post was followed up by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, who reported that the Islanders pitched Nelson a three-year contract offer, but it wasn't enough and that the Isles are now engaging as many as seven teams that have expressed interest in acquiring one of the premiere seond-line centers in the league, and a perfect fit for several team's with Stanley Cup aspirations.

Nelson will be 34 in October next season, but may feel he can get a longer deal and more AAV during the summer as a free agent with the NHL salary cap going up. There had been the feeling that there was mutual interest to keep Nelson with the only organization he has ever known, but now it increasingly feels that Lamoriello will look to take advantage of a seller's market and bring back assets for an organization that has made only one 1st round pick since 2019.

Nelson scored his 20th goal of the season and added an assist in his 901st game with the team in Tuesday night's win versus the Winnipeg Jets. He has been the Islanders' leading scorer every year since 2019-20 and reached 20 goals nine times in 12 seasons with the Isles. If Nelson is on the move, it could mean the same for Kyle Palmieri, who also scored his 20th goal vs. the Jets. The Islanders trail the New York Rangers by four points for the final Eastern Conference Wild Card but have to jump five teams to claim the spot.