Islanders All-Star is open to talks about an extension during the season

Many players across the league prefer not to engage in overtime discussions at the start of the regular season, focusing solely on their on-ice performance rather than the off-ice situation. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case with Islanders center Brock Nelsonwho pointed out to reporters including Ethan Sears from the New York Post, that he is open to negotiating a new deal during the season.

The 32-year-old has developed into a much more powerful offensive player over the last three seasons. Previously, his career highs were 26 goals and 54 points, but as of 2021-22, he has scored at least 34 goals and 59 points in each of the last three years. Last season, Nelson scored 34 goals and 35 assists while averaging just over 18 minutes per night and scoring two goals and adding two assists in five postseason appearances.

It’s fair to say that Nelson’s contract has become team-friendly. It stands to reason that had he been a free agent this summer, coming off three straight 30-goal seasons, he could have fetched more than his current asking price of $6 million on a multi-year deal.

However, Sears suggests that it would be wise for the team to delay these discussions for a while. If the team falters and finds itself in a selling position, it could well benefit from Nelson, who would likely be one of the best rental centers available (although there is a 16-team no-trade clause that it needs). to fight). Given that a breakthrough this late in his career is generally not typical, it would also be wise for the Isles to see if Nelson can continue at this rate of production or if he starts to slow down.

It should be noted that the Islanders already have nearly $66 million in commitments for just 13 players next season. per PuckPedia. It’s not impossible to get around this, but another contract at or near Nelson’s current price would mean cheap players would have to fill many of the remaining spots. And with Noah Dobson on track for a significant increase to his current $4 million AAV and Alexander Romanov ($2.5 million) are headed for a raise, their books could quickly get very tight, even with a projected 5% increase in the salary cap.

While Nelson would probably like to get a deal done sooner rather than later, even if it comes in the season, that likely won’t happen in the foreseeable future.