Boston Bruins could make a big trade to replace Jake DeBrusk
The Boston Bruins still need help in the top six, and one of the holes could be filled by an NHL veteran, who remains a reliable goal-scorer.
According to NHL Insider Lyle Richardson, Brock Nelson could be the top free agent at the end of next season.
The center, aged 33 is in the final year of his $6 Million AAV deal with the New York Islanders. He has been a fixture in the Islanders' top-six and the last three seasons have seen him score 30+ goals consistently.
He hit a career-high in 2022-2023, scoring 75 points, and has been a proven top-six forward in Long Island.
This will make him an attractive option to all buyers come July 1st.
As the roster continues to age, the Islanders are struggling to remain relevant in competition. They will have to consider a rebuild, especially since their prospect pool is lacking depth.
This brings Nelson to the front, as a reliable forward, but his contract may have to be the 1st piece moved in order to gain assets and cap space.
In five NHL seasons, the forward has scored 290 points( 151 G, 139 A) in 360 NHL games. It's unlikely he will be traded before the beginning of the season, should the Islanders falter later in the season, he could be trade bait next deadline. The Islanders need to move Nelson, in order to acquire assets and not lose him for nothing
The Bruins have two 1st rounders, and some prospects they could end up moving should Nelson become available. The 32-year-old hasn't been in a serious hunt for the Stanley Cup since 2020 and 2021, and Nelson would love to find himself on a competitor.
NHL players in this story
Brock Nelson
| POLL | ||
5 SEPTEMBRE | 99 ANSWERS Boston Bruins could make a big trade to replace Jake DeBrusk Should Don Sweeney make a move for Brock Nelson? | ||
| Yes | 49 | 49.5 % |
| No | 50 | 50.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
