New York Islanders Forward Brock Nelson Linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs
An NHL journalist has linked star player of the New York Islanders Brock Nelson to the Toronto Maple Leafs, in what would be quite a significant trade.
Steve Simmons of 'The Toronto Sun' thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to need some quality players to make a deep playoff run, and there's no better fit than Brock Nelson.
At 6-foot-4 with "mammoth hands" and 12 years in the NHL, Brock Nelson brings size, skill, and experience that Steve Simmons thinks is just what the Leafs need.
- Steve Simmons
The 33-year-old center scored 27 goals in 78 postseason games, who can finally give the Leafs depth, physicality, and versatility they have largely been without on deep playoff runs.
He called Nelson «the perfect addition to bolster Toronto's depth down the middle,» slotting in behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares.
With a $6 million cap hit and pending unrestricted free agency this summer, he may become available if the Islanders, who have struggled in recent times, decide to pivot toward a rebuild.
But it would come at great cost: the price tag may be a first-round pick and then more-perhaps a young player like Nick Robertson or one of the prospects like Dennis Hildeby, league insiders report.
Though Simmons does get into some cheaper alternatives in Yanni Gourde and Scott Laughton, he spends far more time on how Nelson's playoff experience combined with his two-way dominance makes him the most attractive option.
Nelson could help provide the Leafs with some stability and playoff resilience as a trusted third-line center, something they have gone without for most of the past few seasons.
Playing alongside linemates like Max Domi or Bobby McMann, Nelson could add the kind of depth and toughness Toronto needs to succeed in the postseason.
As Simmons puts it, «The Maple Leafs need what Nelson is. Or certainly someone like him,» before imploring the team to go after the Islanders veteran if the opportunity arises.
