The Islanders spent their final game before the trade deadline surrounded by uncertainty and steeped in sentimentality. Because OF COURSE they did.

Playing it close to the vest fits how Nelson has acted throughout his NHL career. He is a ready and willing interview during the season but his words always seem to come with a detached sense of analysis, as if he’s separating his emotions from his public persona.

With less than two days separating the New York Islanders from the NHL Trade Deadline, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun casted doubt on whether the team will re-sign Brock Nelson.