New York Islanders should be sellers at trade deadline

The New York Islanders should be sellers at the trade deadline. As much as we would like to think the Isles should go for it this season, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the team should recoup as much as it can on what looks like a lost season.

But what would being “sellers” look like this season?

Let’s take a look at three players the Isles could move to recoup valuable assets.

3 players the New York Islanders could use to recoup valuable assets

Brock Nelson

Brock Nelson has been under the microscope all season long. He’s played well but seems snakebitten. He’s generated scoring chances but has been unable to find consistency.

Still, he’s a great player and should be a valuable piece for contending teams. My colleague Michael Stahurski reported the asking price for Nelson includes a first-round pick That’s a reasonable ask considering how Nelson is one of the best second-line centers in the league.

Also, the reported asking price includes other picks and prospects. Some may balk at that asking price. But the fact is that the Islanders should strive to get as much as they can for Nelson.

According to Frank Seravalli at the Daily Faceoff, the New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, and Carolina Hurricanes are looking to add the impending free agent.

I don’t see the Isles moving Nelson within the division. So, the likeliest destination could be Winnipeg or Minnesota.

Let me throw this out there: Just because the Isles trade Nelson at the deadline this season, it doesn’t mean they can’t re-sign him in the offseason.