The possible trade value of Islanders center Brock Nelson plus speculation over the futures of Predators winger Philip Tomasino and Sabres forward Peyton Krebs in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
WHAT WOULD BE BROCK NELSON’S TRADE VALUE?
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple was asked by a reader if the New York Islanders would consider moving Brock Nelson if a contender offered a package like a first-rounder and two seconds or a first and a top prospect.
Staple believes Nelson would rise to the top of the list of Islanders who could fetch a sizeable return if general manager Lou Lamoriello becomes a seller. However, he doesn’t see a team pitching the type of offer proposed by the reader, pointing out the Carolina Hurricanes didn’t end up parting with a first-rounder or a B-plus prospect to get Jake Guentzel.
New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel fetched a decent haul for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Hurricanes gave up winger Michael Bunting, two prospects (Vasili Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen), the rights to college prospect Cruz Lucius, a conditional first-round pick in 2024 (that became a second-rounder when the Hurricanes failed to reach the 2024 Stanley Cup Final), a conditional 2024 fifth-rounder, and minor leaguer Ty Smith.
Nelson’s been the Islanders’ most consistent player over the past five years so Staple isn’t firmly in the trade camp. He believes a lot depends on this season unless Lamoriello extends Nelson before this season begins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson can become an unrestricted free agent next July. The 32-year-old center is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a 16-team no-trade list.
Lamoriello won’t trade Nelson if he’s still playing up to his usual standard and the Islanders are in playoff contention. However, he could become a prime trade candidate if they’re out of contention by the March trade deadline.
In that case, Nelson’s performance will determine his trade value. A first-rounder isn’t out of the question but his age likely means the highest pick the Isles could get is a second-rounder in a package deal. They won’t get any top prospects for him but they could get a decent NHL forward comparable to Bunting.
PHILIP TOMASINO HAS AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE WITH THE PREDATORS
THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty reports the Nashville Predators’ recent additions of veteran forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault could squeeze out young winger Philip Tomasino.
Chosen 24th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft by Nashville, the 23-year-old Tomasino split the past two seasons with the Predators and their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. The club’s apparent lack of confidence and the influx of new talent suggests change could be afoot, though they did qualify his rights. He’ll have to accept the qualifying offer or sign another contract to play this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators only have $595K in cap space for 2024-25 with 20 active roster players under contract. Tomasino could end up heading to Milwaukee for this season on his qualifying offer unless the Predators trade him.
COULD SABRES FORWARD PEYTON KREBS BECOME A TRADE CANDIDATE?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello observed that Buffalo Sabres forward Peyton Krebs remains without a contract. Chosen 17th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2019 NHL Draft, he was part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to Vegas.
Krebs, 23, has struggled to establish his role in the NHL, spending most of last season in a fourth-line role. Augello noted rumors going back to the March trade deadline linked Krebs to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Sabres still need a goal scorer to replace Jeff Skinner, who was bought out in June. Augello suggests Flyers forward Joel Farabee could be a fit as he came up in trade rumors earlier this year. He could become a cost-cutting candidate following the Flyers’ signing of Travis Konecny to a long-term extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers are already sitting above the $88 million salary cap by over $829K. However, they’ll get relief by placing permanently sidelined defenseman Ryan Ellis and his $6.25 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve.
Farabee’s $5 million cap hit through 2027-28 is a concern for the Flyers if his consistency doesn’t improve. That will also make it difficult for the Flyers to shed his contract. Given his cap hit, Farabee must improve to be enticing for the Sabres at that price.