Brock Nelson has been one of the NY Islanders' top players, but what can he improve on heading into next season?

Throughout the NY Islanders 2023-24 season, there seemed to be no one more reliable than Brock Nelson. In his 11th year with the team, Nelson scored 69 points (34 G, 35 A) in 82 games, the second-highest point total of his career. Nelson seems to embody what it means to be an Islander, known for being a leader both on and off the ice and one of the most consistent centers in the NHL.

This past season, however, caused a bit of a riff between fans and Nelson, who was previously a fan favorite on the Island. Fans were expecting Lou Lamoriello to make big changes at the trade deadline and when rumors spread that Nelson was being shopped around the league, some fans were quick to turn on the center, hoping for his involvement in a trade. Elliotte Friedman was quick to quiet these rumors on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, stating that trading Nelson would be ridding the Islanders of their soul.

Brock Nelson finished the season first in goals and third in points for the Islanders. Now, heading into his final year of a 6-year, $36 million contract, Nelson hopes to remain consistent and reliable on the second line. This season Nelson will also have to prove to fans that shutting down trade requests was a smart choice for the team and that he truly is the heart and soul of this Islanders team. Let's take a look at Nelson's successes and where he can improve as training camp gets closer for the 2024-25 season.