The Detroit Red Wings are in the thick of the playoff race, and one trade proposal suggests acquiring a star forward to bolster their postseason push.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, which allows fans to construct potential trades, one user suggested a deal in which the Red Wings would land Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.
Proposed Trade:
Red Wings receive:
- Brock Nelson
Islanders receive:
- Joe Veleno
- 2025 second-round pick
The deal makes sense on paper, as Detroit would add a proven scorer in Nelson while giving up an NHL-ready forward in Veleno and a second-round pick. Nelson, a pending free agent, is in the final year of his six-year, $36 million contract and is considered one of the top trade targets before the deadline. The 32-year-old would bring offensive firepower to the Red Wings’ top six, having registered 19 goals and 22 assists (41 points) in 59 games this season.
In return, the Islanders would receive a second-round pick and Veleno, a former first-round selection who could benefit from a change of scenery. The 25-year-old has tallied five goals and five assists for 10 points in 55 games and is in the first year of a two-year, $4.55 million contract.
Will the Islanders Trade Nelson?
Despite being out of a playoff spot and Nelson’s pending free-agent status, there is uncertainty surrounding whether New York will actually move him.
According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, rival teams are unsure if the Islanders will make Nelson available, as the franchise is still holding out hope of re-signing him.
“Another big name that teams are wondering about is Brock Nelson,” LeBrun said on Insider Trading. “He’s a pending UFA and is kind of holding up a lot of things. So many teams are looking for center help, and he’s one of the big names. But there’s still no clear indication from the Islanders that he will actually be made available. Part of that is because they are still hoping to re-sign him.”
Nelson has spent his entire NHL career with the Islanders, appearing in 899 games.
Red Wings Focused on Playoff Push
Detroit remains locked in a battle for a Wild Card spot, currently holding onto the final postseason berth with a 30-24-6 record. Veteran forward Patrick Kane emphasized that the team is embracing the challenge of making the playoffs.
“You take it as a challenge,” Kane said. “Under Todd [McLellan], we’ve built a bit of a foundation where we know what to expect moving forward and feel confident about it. So just take it a game at a time and see what happens.”
McLellan echoed that sentiment, urging his team to stay focused on the present rather than getting caught up in the standings.
“What I don’t want them to do is get caught up in a seven-game win streak or a four-game losing streak,” McLellan said. “I want them to live in the moment and just worry about that. If you get caught up in all of that stuff, it can take you down or lift you too high. Just put the equipment on, focus on what happens between Minute 1 and Minute 60, and we’ll be fine.”
The Red Wings return to action on March 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes as they continue their push for a playoff spot.
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