Brock Nelson situation still in flux. No guarantee still that Lou Lamoriello trades him although that seems to be developing as most likely option. Minnesota, Winnipeg, New Jersey, Colorado, Toronto among long list of teams with interest. But there are others.
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Report: Maple Leafs among teams interested in Brock Nelson
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Mar 6, 2025, 06:30 ESTUpdated: Mar 5, 2025, 22:11 EST
New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson is on the trade block and the Toronto Maple Leafs are among a long list of teams that could acquire him before Friday’s deadline, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports.
Toronto is competing with the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche among others, to acquire Nelson. While it remains to be seen if Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello goes through with the move given his lengthy track record of keeping a tight lip on what he is doing, LeBrun’s report suggests that a trade is the most likely outcome.
Nelson was emotional during a post-game interview after his team defeated the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday when talking about what it has meant to him to play for the Islanders. It does not guarantee that a trade is imminent but it does suggest that he is at the very least aware that his days on Long Island could be numbered.
He is a centre that has been naturally connected to the Leafs throughout the season by fans gauging the market given the fact he would fulfill their needs and make them better in the interim. LeBrun’s report is the first time that Nelson has been confirmed to be someone that Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is keeping an eye on.
It may go against his preference of acquiring a player with term given that Nelson is a UFA at season’s end, but the logic is sound for why this is a guy Treliving is interested in. The American centre has 43 points (20 goals and 23 assists), a 52.8 FO%, a 49.19 CF%, and a 51.16 xGF% in 61 games played. This is a player who would provide some relief for Auston Matthews and John Tavares in terms of usage while also being able to solidify the third-line centre that has been sorely needed all season.
It likely won’t come cheap to acquire Nelson’s service, but it may not be as much as some of the other centres that the Leafs are gauging their interest in Brayden Schenn and Scott Laughton. Should a hypothetical come with an extension then it might raise the price even higher, so this is something that Treliving will need to keep in mind if he chooses to go down this path. Should they be able to pull this off and get a new deal done, this could be a move that pays dividends for the Leafs both now and down the line.
Along with their reported interest in Carolina Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen as per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, it is clear the Leafs may not be quiet for much longer and could soon be making their big splash. Whether that is Nelson, Rantanen, or someone else remains to be seen but we will soon have our answer.
Get ready, hockey fans! The Daily Faceoff Deadline is happening on March 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM Eastern, and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll be LIVE, breaking down every trade and big move as it happens, with instant reactions and expert analysis from the Daily Faceoff crew. Plus, we’ve got special guests lined up throughout the show, offering exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the game. From blockbuster trades to surprise moves, we’re covering it all. Tune in to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow Daily Faceoff socials on March 7th to catch all the action!
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