The Grumpy Old Man

Drouin said he talked to Brassard and Beauvillier about Long Island. Said everyone he spoke to loved Long Island, the area, the restaurants, and the suburbs. #Isles @NHLNetwork

ON BROCK NELSON: The following is from multiple sources regarding Nelson & #Isles and interest around the NHL: - Nelson’s first choice is to sign long-term with NYI. He’s close with several teammates, loves LI and the franchise, and believes in NYI’s potential to contend again. It is said that Brock feels very loyal to the Islanders, while also understanding he will be in high demand if he becomes a UFA. - Sources confirm what many of you would expect from Lou Lamoriello: as long as NYI are within shouting distance of a playoff position, Lamoriello is unlikely to trade Nelson — even if the President/GM does not have an agreement on a new contract with Nelson by the trade deadline. - Despite a comment on a recent ESPN Islanders telecast that “it’s the worst-kept secret” and other outlets reporting rumors that Nelson is bound to become a member of the Minnesota Wild by the summer, Brock nor anyone else in the Nelson camp has indicated this. What is accurate, of course, is that GM Bill Guerin and the Wild will pursue Nelson in a trade or if he becomes a free agent. - It is believed that the Wild are among at least six teams prepared to offer trade packages for Nelson IF closer to the March 7 deadline Lamoriello ever conveys that he’s open to dealing him. - Where does all this leave us today and almost certainly until March 1 at earliest? Lamoriello will use all the time he has to make a decision, as is the Hall of Fame GM’s history and as he should. Trade deadline is March 7. Brock Nelson is a special Islander and this is a special case. - Lamoriello also runs the risk of not trading Nelson, the Islanders not making or not going far in the playoffs, and losing this tremendous player — who turns 34 at the start of next season — for nothing. ***So that’s it from me on this subject for a while, probably. My thanks to everyone who made it this far, and for sharing your respectful views in the replies.