Latest Report: Leafs Expected to Strongly Pursue NHL Captain, per Insider

4 days ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors  /  Read Time: 2 minutes 10 seconds

According to a recent report by NHL insider Jonas Siegel in The Athletic, the Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up to make a serious push for New York Islanders’ standout Brock Nelson. The Leafs have been linked to Nelson for much of the season, and for good reason—adding a high-caliber center like him could be a game-changer for Toronto’s playoff aspirations. However, there’s a catch: if Nelson doesn’t re-sign with the Islanders first, the Leafs may have to pull off a blockbuster trade to bring him to Toronto.288 goals with the #Isles.Brock Nelson becomes the 5th Highest Goal Scorer in Islanders History! pic.twitter.com/7fi6zXGtfM— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 19, 2025So, what does this new article reveal about Nelson’s potential move to the Leafs?A tough, yet necessary pursuitNelson is exactly the type of second-line center Brad Treliving is searching for, and his addition would allow John Tavares to slide into a more suitable third-line role—perfect for playoff hockey.The Leafs are in dire need of help down the middle, not just to add a defensive edge to their forward group but also to bring in a durable, reliable presence who can stay in the lineup. However, landing Nelson won’t be easy. The cost could be steep, potentially requiring Toronto to part with top prospect Easton Cowan and their limited stock of premium draft picks—and that’s only if the New York Islanders don’t re-sign him first.Not to mention Nelson not only has a close relationship with the city, but the boss as well. Recent reports suggest Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello has already offered Nelson a three-year extension, and given their close relationship, Nelson might prefer to stay put in New York:There's still a little bit of hockey left in the season, and we've gotta get on another roll right after the break here. So, hopefully guys are resetting, getting a little bit healthy. We've been kind of banged up, but I think everybody there wants to win now.Lou is a great guy. I love playing for him. He's done a lot for me. He's given me a great opportunity the last seven years I've had him, and he's an influential guy in hockey in general.And only knowing Long Island and being an Islander and knowing how much history the team has and the legends that have played there before and what they've done obviously plays into it as well.HE'S A BROCKSTAR! 🤩Brock Nelson's @Energizer overtime winner sends the @NYIslanders home with two points! pic.twitter.com/7Q6TM1BX1r— NHL (@NHL) January 26, 2025What to expect?Brock Nelson is having another solid season, as expected. Through 55 games, he’s tallied 17 goals and 18 assists. While these numbers are slightly down from his previous three campaigns, Nelson remains a consistent offensive threat. Over his career, the 2010 30th overall pick has amassed 566 points (292 goals, 274 assists) in 895 games, proving his reliability as a top-six forward.However, the Leafs aren’t the only team in the mix. According to reports, the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, and Colorado Avalanche are also potential suitors for Nelson ahead of the trade deadline.If Toronto wants to land him, they’ll face an uphill battle. Not only will they need to convince Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello to part with a cornerstone of his team’s identity, but they’ll also have to persuade Nelson that Toronto offers a better opportunity than staying in Long Island.Image - David Kirouac - Imagn ...

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