Brock Nelson emotional after potential final game with Islanders
That much is true for New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson, who gave an emotional post-game interview in Long Island after his squad downed the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday in what might be his final game with the Islanders.
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For teams looking for that final puzzle piece to bring together a potentially Stanley Cup-winning roster, trade deadline week is a source of excitement. For the pending free agents whose teams are on the outskirts of the playoff race, the deadline is bittersweet.
That much is true for New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson, who gave an emotional post-game interview in Long Island after his squad defeated the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday in what might be his final game with the Islanders.
Nelson, who was named first star after a two-point performance, was greeted to a chorus of cheers when he sat down to do his in-arena interview.
“Just worried about playing the game,” a choked-up Nelson said, before detailing how special it’s been to play at UBS Arena.
“Everything. I mean, all of it. It’s a great place, great fans.”
Nelson has played for the Islanders for the entirety of his 12-year NHL career and eclipsed the 30-goal mark three times. A pending unrestricted free agent on an Islanders team three points out of a playoff spot, it’s expected that general manager Lou Lamoriello trades him ahead of the March 7 deadline.
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Speaking to the media after the game, Nelson said that despite the looming deadline, he’s been focused on helping his team succeed, however he can.
“I’ve had conversations with Lou and I’ve been honest, and I really, truly have just been worried about here and playing and doing everything we can here to win,” he said, according to Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.
“We’ve been together a long time, so we understand one another pretty well and have had a great friendship,” captain Anders Lee added of Nelson. “Been a pleasure being his teammate and I hope it continues that way.”
Nelson has played in all 61 games for New York this season, notching 20 goals and 43 points.
The NHL trade deadline is Friday afternoon and the Islanders next play Saturday on the road in San Jose.
