LeBrun Reports Lamoriello, Islanders Still Trying to Sign Nelson, Despite Isles in 14th Place

BOSTON — Just ahead of puck drop, we received some fresh news on the Brock Nelson front for the first time since before the 4 Nations Face-Off.

On TSN’s Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reports that the New York Islanders have not made Brock Nelson available for trade as of today. Said LeBrun: “He’s [Nelson] kind of holding up a lot of things. There’s so many teams looking for center help. But there’s still no clear indication from the New York Islanders that Brock Nelson will actually be made available.”

Furthermore, LeBrun reports that he spoke with the Islanders’ team president and general manager, Lou Lamoriello, about Nelson’s status today.  LeBrun further that by sharing a quote he received from the Islanders’ GM when speaking with Lamoriello this morning: “He [Brock] is an Islander. He’s certainly an integral part of our team.”

That sure doesn’t sound like a GM about to trade away a rental who has rebuffed any and all contract talk to this point. The Islanders currently sit 14th in the Eastern Conference and are sinking fast. Not trading Nelson, 33, would hurt the Islanders now and in the future.

The definition of insanity is trying the same things over and over again and hoping for different results. Keeping Nelson at this point in his career and with the Islanders where they are would be a major mistake. The Islanders desperately need a retool or shake-up of any kind, but it sure seems with that quote, nothing is changing any time quickly.