As the NHL trade deadline approaches, speculation is swirling around New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson, with rumors linking him to the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline and during the off-season. The veteran center has been a consistent offensive producer for the Islanders, but with the team battling for a playoff spot and considering potential roster changes, his name is among the top targets as we head toward the March trade deadline.
During Tuesday night's ESPN broadcast, play-by-play man John Buccigross said the following: "Brock Nelson, picked by Bill Guerin (Wild GM who picked Nelson for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-off). Everyone thinks Nelson is going to sign with Minnesota, it's like the worse kept secret in hockey, that he'll be with the Wild next year." Hmmm.
While Islanders fans know that Nelson is a Minnesota native, the certainty in which Buccigross said it caught the attention of those watching from home. If Nelson has his heart on his family moving back home to Minnesota to close out his career, surely the Islanders have to trade him, right?
It wouldn't be the first time the Isles were in this position. Both Mark Parrish and Thomas Vanek were traded at the deadline when hopes of re-signing them were unlikely or impossible. Both were rumored to want to sign back home in Minnesota, and both did exactly that as free agents.

Minnesota needs a top-six center to bolster their offensive depth. The Wild have struggled with scoring consistency this season, and adding a proven goal scorer like Nelson could provide a much-needed boost. With 20 or more goals in six straight seasons, Nelson’s ability to contribute at both ends makes him an attractive target. However, would it be worth trading assets for a player that you could sign in the off-season? To complicate things, the Wild don't have a 2025 first-round pick, meaning any package would be either a player, prospect, and future 1st rounder.
""There’s also no guarantee the Islanders trade him. Lou Lamoriello has a history of letting guys walk for nothing. (See: Zach Parise.) So, we have to see what the cap space is as we get closer to the deadline. Also, I really think the Wild are signing him this offseason, so how much do you really want to give up for somebody you can get this summer without getting rid of assets?""Michael Russo, The Athletic
However, moving Nelson wouldn’t be an easy decision for the Islanders. The 33-year-old has been a key part of New York’s core for years and remains among their most reliable scorers. Trading him would signal to the dressing room that the Isles were no longer seriously chasing a playoff spot for the remainder of the season. The more they win, the less likely it feels he'll get moved.
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has yet to comment on any trade discussions, but as the deadline nears, teams like Minnesota may continue to push for a deal. Whether Nelson remains an Islander or finds himself in a Wild uniform will depend on how aggressively Minnesota pursues the veteran center and what New York demands in return. For now, the speculation continues, but all eyes will be on the Islanders as they navigate their playoff push and roster decisions.