How a Brock Nelson trade could boost 4 playoff-bound teams

NHL fans have heard Brock Nelson's name plenty of times over the past few weeks as Friday's trade deadline approaches.

What exactly does Nelson - the consensus top "rental" center on the market - bring to the table? And how might he fit on four playoff-bound teams?

Let's dig into it.

What Nelson offers

Nelson, 33, has spent his entire 12-year career on Long Island.

The Islanders, who own a 27-25-7 record and a minus-11 goal differential, are five points back of the Eastern Conference playoff cut line with 23 games remaining heading into Monday night's game against the Rangers. If general manager Lou Lamoriello chooses to keep Nelson - which is possible, since he discussed an extension with Nelson's agent earlier this season - the executive will be making a massive mistake. Nelson is one of the only impactful unrestricted free agents available in a seller's market and thus should command a hefty return package, most likely two premium assets.

The high-level view: Nelson is a big, all-situations center. He's recorded 19 goals and 22 assists in 59 games for 0.69 points per game. That's his lowest average since 2020-21, though most of the drop-off can be attributed to a lack of power-play points (one goal, two assists). The 2024-25 Isles have been horrendous with the man advantage, scoring on just 11.5% of opportunities.

The zoomed-in view suggests Nelson is a complete player with few weaknesses.

Nelson creates offense at a very high rate. He's deceptively fast (especially at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds) and uses those wheels to consistently enter the offensive zone with possession and generate scoring chances off the rush. Nelson loves to occupy net-front real estate and produces a ton of inner-slot shots and deflections. He's also an unselfish playmaker who rarely overhandles the puck or makes himself vulnerable to turnovers.

The table below provides a snapshot of Nelson's offensive capabilities.

Nelson is also reliable in the faceoff circle, winning a career-high 52.8% of his draws this season. He doesn't get credited with many body checks or blocked shots, but he's by no means soft. Among eligible forwards, Nelson's in the 94th percentile this season in loose-puck recoveries per game, 95th in puck-battle wins per game, 97th in blocked passes per game, and 98th in stick checks per game. Translation: Nelson operates a truly elite defensive stick.

Check out Nelson's puck pursuit on a PK shift over the weekend:

Intriguing trade destinations

New Jersey Devils: There might not be a playoff-bound team more desperate for an upgrade at center. The talent gap between Jack Hughes/Nico Hischier and Erik Haula/Curtis Lazar is far too wide - plus, Hughes was hurt Sunday.

Nelson's contract includes a 16-team no-trade list, so he controls part of the process. On paper, New Jersey could be a desirable landing spot - a quality squad located near Long Island with enough future cap room for an extension. Nelson wouldn't have to uproot his wife and four kids in the event of a trade.

To make the financials work this season, New Jersey could dangle Ondrej Palat and his $6-million cap hit through 2026-27. That said, New York would probably view Palat's inclusion as a reason to ask for an even better package.

The Devils have done a fantastic job drafting and developing defensemen. Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, Anton Silayev, and Seamus Casey are all 21 or younger. A Nelson package could be centered around Casey and a high pick.

Winnipeg Jets: First-line center? Check. Third-line center? Check. Fourth-line center? Check.

In Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, and Vladislav Namestnikov, the Jets have three pivots who fit perfectly on a Stanley Cup contender depth chart. The missing piece, of course, is a second-line center. Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has plenty to offer Lamoriello, starting with the club's 2025 first-round pick and recent top-30 selections Colby Barlow and Brad Lambert.

Geography is on Cheveldayoff's side: Nelson is from Warroad, Minnesota, which is 130 miles southeast of Winnipeg. The Jets typically strike out in free agency but do well at retaining core pieces. If Nelson enjoys his time in Winnipeg, which might include a deep playoff run, the cap situation is healthy enough to absorb his extension. Don't sleep on the possibility of the Jets going all-in.

Toronto Maple Leafs: It's no secret the Leafs are shopping for a center to slot in behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares. It's also no secret that this is a crossroads year; playoff failures are piling up, Tavares and winger Mitch Marner are on expiring contracts, and the conference is relatively open.

Toronto has never claimed the Atlantic Division's top seed in the Matthews era. Adding Nelson to the middle six would increase the Leafs' odds of finally doing it. Nelson could bump current third-line center Max Domi to the wing where he belongs. Or coach Craig Berube could double down on the top six and place Nelson on Tavares' left wing to form a Nelson-Tavares-William Nylander super line.

While a Nelson deal would require retention or money coming off Toronto's books, general manager Brad Treliving has the goods to make a splash. Top assets include Florida's second-rounder this year, Toronto's first-rounder in 2026, and well-regarded prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten.

Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche have been retooling midseason. The goalie tandem has turned over, Martin Necas and Jack Drury are in for the departed Mikko Rantanen, and Ryan Lindgren is now on the third defense pair. The main theme is surrounding superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar with better depth.

Nelson would look phenomenal in coach Jared Bednar's up-tempo system, while current second-line center Casey Mittelstadt jumps off the page as an appealing trade chip. It hasn't worked out for Mittelstadt in Colorado, yet he's a 26-year-old playmaking center under contract through 2026-27 at $5.75 million annually. There's a world in which he pops as a third-liner on another club.

The Avs have limited cap space, and captain Gabriel Landeskog might return to the lineup ahead of the playoffs. Still, the Nelson fit is extremely intriguing.

John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email ([email protected]).