Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Brock Nelson’s future with the New York Islanders was among the questions for each of the club’s forwards raised by The Athletic’s Arthur Staple as NHL training camp approached last week.
Nelson, who turns 33 on Oct. 15, has been the Isles’ most consistent scorer in recent years. He’s also in the final season of a six-year contract with an annual average value of $6 million.
Speculation over whether the Isles would sign Nelson to a contract extension surfaced during the off-season, but GM Lou Lamoriello was reportedly focused on other issues.
Related: NHL’s Top Issues Facing the New York Islanders: Roy’s Coaching Status, Nelson’s Future and the Goaltending Tandem
Staple admitted being “somewhat surprised” that Nelson was entering his walk year without a new contract. He doesn’t rule out the possibility of an extension but wondered what would happen if the Islanders are out of playoff contention by the March 7 NHL trade deadline. Staple also suggested the cost of re-signing Nelson could rise if the center remains their leading scorer.
Lamoriello could take a wait-and-see approach with Nelson for the coming season. It’s a good bet he won’t be traded if he keeps the Islanders in the thick of the playoff race. Nevertheless, this likely won’t be the last time Nelson’s future becomes the subject of media speculation.
Speaking of speculation about veteran centers, Nazem Kadri surfaced a couple of times in the summer rumor mill. With the Calgary Flames shaking up their roster, some observers wondered how comfortable the 33-year-old Kadri would feel being the best player on a bad team.
Related: NHL’s Top Issues Facing the Calgary Flames: Tanking for the Top Pick, Huberdeau Returning to Glory and Kadri a No. 1 Center?
Kadri addressed that issue directly during the start of training camp, telling pundits they needed to “pump the brakes” on the conjecture about his future. He claims to love the city and the organization, adding he and his teammates are focused on rallying around each other and surprising people this season.
Unlike Nelson, Kadri isn’t eligible for UFA status next July. He’s got another four years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7 million and a full no-movement clause that gives him complete control over his future. Even if he wanted a trade, those factors would make it difficult to move him without the Flames retaining some of his salary in the deal.
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News Summary:
- NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Brock Nelson And Nazem Kadri
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.