Nelson, 33, is in final year of his deal and has a 16-team no trade list with the trade deadline looming on March 7. "I want what's best for me, family, team and everything," Nelson said.

Brock Nelson has developed into one of the greatest post-dynasty New York Islanders over his 12 seasons with the franchise. Only the legendary Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin, and Clark Gillies (all Hall of Famers) have scored more goals in their Islanders career than Nelson.

The Avalanche just traded Mikko Rantanen so they have plenty of assets to swing a deal for Islanders center Brock Nelson.

Everything Brock Nelson says in public right now can be filtered through the lens of a contract negotiation that is reportedly ongoing between his camp and the Islanders. But if he wants to stay with the club for the remainder of his career,

Friedman mentions the fear around Lamoriello among sources. The Islanders' veteran GM likes to keep transactions private until they are done and a Nelson trade would fall into that bucket. So there is a chance that Lamoriello is working on a Nelson trade and Friedman is not privy to that information. But given his history, that is not likely.

Lamoriello is reluctant to rebuild. But he is overseeing the NHL’s fourth-oldest roster, stars Mathew Barzal and Noah Dobson are injured, and a two-way pivot such as Nelson could recoup a tidy haul on a rental market light on top-six centres. Nelson’s prorated $6-million cap hit is workable; his prorated $4-million actual salary even more so.

Islanders forward and top trade deadline candidate Brock Nelson remains interested in an extension with New York.