Pregame analysis and predictions of the New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers NHL game to be played on March 3, 2025 on ESPN.

The Washington Capitals are considering a trade for New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson as they near the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, despite his dip in performance

Islanders general manager and president of hockey operations Lou Lamoriello made his last pitch on a contract extension Thursday.

Teams are still waiting to hear back from GM Lou Lamoriello as to Nelson's availability as of Wednesday and extension talks are ongoing.

The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and the deals should pick up over the next few days. One of the biggest players on the market is veteran center Brock Nelson, who could be moved with the New York Islanders fading out of the playoff race.

Brock Nelson had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders took down the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets 3-2 on Tuesday night. Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock also scored, and Ilya Sorokin finished with 27 saves for New York in its final game before the NHL trade deadline and a three-game west-coast road trip.

Enter Nelson, the best center on the market. He is an elite second-line center whose effectiveness sometimes goes under the radar. Nelson’s all-situation scoring rate has dipped this season, but that is likely a consequence of the Islanders’ disastrous power play.

Brock Nelson is gone. Yet for the New York Islanders, the ultimate goal -- returning to the playoffs -- remains the same. The Islanders will play their first game without Nelson on the active roster in more than a decade Saturday night when they open a three-game California road trip by opposing the San Jose Sharks.

The Islanders are working on a new Kyle Palmieri contract after trading Brock Nelson at the NHL trade deadline.

Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said Monday he wasn’t sure if he had another trade in him this week.