The New York Islanders have been battling to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff race. As of Jan. 25, they were sitting six points out of the final wild-card berth, facing the difficult task of overtaking the six teams ahead of them. That has prompted speculation that general manager Lou Lamoriello could become a seller.

Brock Nelson will become Lamoriello's best trade chip if the Isles GM becomes a seller. The 33-year-old center topped our January NHL Trade Block Big Board. He's a three-time 30-plus goal scorer completing a six-year contract with an annual average value of $6 million. He also has a 16-team no-trade list.

On Jan. 9, Lamoriello told reporters he's focused on his team's pursuit of a playoff spot rather than the March 7 trade deadline. However, his focus could shift if his club fails to gain traction in the standings while top defenseman Noah Dobson is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Nelson would be an irresistible trade target for playoff contenders in the market for a first or second-line rental center with playoff experience. Here's a look at five possible suitors and what it might cost each of them to pry him away from the Islanders.

Do you agree with our take? Let us know in the app comments below.

Carolina Hurricanes

NHL fans and pundits are buzzing about the possibility of the Vancouver Canucks trading center J.T. Miller. On Jan. 24, The Vancouver Province's Patrick Johnston reported the Carolina Hurricanes were among the teams to kick tires on Miller, though he indicated their interest was minimal.

Since then, the Hurricanes have acquired wingers Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall but still require a reliable second-line center. Jordan Staal is best suited for third-line duty, while Jesperi Kotkaniemi has struggled to meet expectations.

Brock Nelson would be a suitable short-term option for the Hurricanes. Their foray into the rental market last season landed them winger Jake Guentzel, who played very well for them during his short tenure in Carolina. They've added two more potential rentals in Rantanen and Hall but could pursue another to load up for a Stanley Cup run this spring.

The Hurricanes have $1.23 million in projected trade deadline cap space. They'll have to move some salary in the deal while the Isles must retain some of Nelson's cap hit. That could cost the Hurricanes their 2025 first-rounder, a young roster player, and perhaps a prospect like Scott Morrow, Bradley Nadeau, or Felix Unger Sörum.

Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin underwent hip surgery in December, sidelining him until the end of the regular season. That allows general manager Jim Nill to put Seguin and his $9.9 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve before the trade deadline and use the savings to add another center to his roster.

Nelson could slot into one of the Stars' top-three center positions or skate on the wing. His scoring ability and postseason experience could help them finally get over the hump following two straight eliminations from the Western Conference Finals.

On Jan. 15, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Stars are interested in Nelson, though it remains to be seen if the Islanders will part with him. If the Isles fail to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, that could happen before March 7.

Once the Stars place Seguin on LTIR they could easily afford Nelson's $6 million cap hit. It could cost them a first-round pick plus a prospect like defenseman Liam Bichsel or winger Emil Hemming.

Minnesota Wild

Brock Nelson could be a perfect fit with the Minnesota Wild. He was born and raised in "The State of Hockey" and would fit in as a center or winger among their top-nine forwards.

However, the Wild could find it difficult to acquire Nelson. They're pressed against the $88-million cap ceiling. Michael Russo of The Athletic believes general manager Bill Guerin would have to shed some salary to bring him in. He also felt the Islanders might have to retain part of it, perhaps in a three-team deal to spread his cap hit around.

Russo speculates center Marco Rossi might become a trade candidate if the pending restricted free agent isn't re-signed by the March 7 trade deadline. The Islanders might be willing to take him on in a one-for-one swap considering the 23-year-old's emergence as a scoring forward.

If the Wild retain Rossi they'll have to dangle a couple of their prospects as part of the return because they traded away their 2025 first-round pick. Russo speculates Riley Heidt, Liam Öhgren or Carson Lambos could become trade candidates.

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals remain among this season's biggest surprises. Expected to miss the playoffs, the Capitals are jockeying for first place in the overall standings. While fans and pundits focus on captain Alex Ovechkin chasing Wayne Gretzky's goals record, Capitals general manager Chris Patrick could be shopping for roster depth for the postseason.

On Jan. 22, Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News reported sources claimed the Capitals had contacted the Islanders about Brock Nelson's availability. While some teams might prefer signing him to a contract extension, Rosner indicated the Capitals have no problem acquiring him solely as a playoff rental.

Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois center the Capitals' top two lines. Adding Nelson would make them even deeper up the middle. He can also play on the wing, providing additional scoring punch and experience.

With $3.7 million in projected trade deadline cap space, the Capitals would require the Islanders to retain part of Nelson's $6 million AAV. They could offer up a promising youngster like center Hendrix Lapierre or Terik Parascak and one of their two 2025 second-rounders or a first-rounder as part of the return.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are jockeying for first place in the overall standings. However, they must bolster their depth at center, specifically on the second line. Adam Lowry and Vladislav Namestnikov have played admirably at that position but someone like Brock Nelson would bring much-needed stability.

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has shown a willingness in the past to pursue rental players for the postseason at the trade deadline. With $11.2 million in trade deadline cap space, the Jets have plenty of room to acquire Nelson and still have enough for other additions.

Cheveldayoff might be willing to part with his first-round pick if he believes Nelson could provide the lift his team needs to stage a run for the Stanley Cup. He could also be willing to part with a prospect like winger Colby Barlow or even Brad Lambert if they feel he's not developing quickly enough.

The question is whether the Jets are part of Nelson's no-trade list. He might waive it for a short stint with one of this season's top teams. They're also not far from where the native Minnesotan grew up if he's looking at quick trips home during the remainder of the season.

NHL stats and standings (as of Jan. 25, 2025) via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia. Line combinations via Daily Faceoff. Prospect info via The Athletic.