NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest New York Islanders Trade Speculation

The New York Rangers' stunning collapse in the Eastern Conference standings has overshadowed the New York Islanders' struggles this season. Both teams have 37 points and sit within four points of the final wild-card berth, but they're also only two points above the last-place Buffalo Sabres.

Entering the New Year, The Athletic's Arthur Staple felt the Islanders faced “a reckoning.” He believed the club's aging core are still good players, most of whom played key roles in their back-to-back Conference final appearances in 2020 and 2021, “but it is so very over.”

Staple indicated teams have heard that Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello isn't interested in selling, preferring to let his club's performance determine his course of action at the trade deadline. However, he could become a seller if they remain mired near the bottom of the standings by the March 7 deadline.

On Jan. 4, Larry Brooks of the New York Post suggested pending UFAs Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri would have value at the deadline. So would Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has a year left on his contract.

Nelson would have the most value of the three. The 33-year-old center is coming off three straight 30-plus goal seasons. His production is down this season with 10 goals and 21 points in 40 games, but there will be contenders who believe his stats will improve with better linemates on a deeper roster.

The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner cited industry sources claiming the Vancouver Canucks have an interest in Nelson but not as a rental player. He also noted that the veteran center has a 16-team no-trade clause and anticipates that every Canadian club would be on that list.

Speaking of the Canucks, Rosner recently wondered what it would take for the Isles to pry Elias Pettersson out of Vancouver. He suggested defenseman Noah Dobson would likely be part of the framework of a deal, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman indicates they'd want a center instead.

Related: The Latest Rumors On Vancouver Canucks Centers Elias Pettersson And J.T. Miller

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