In free agency, islanders have a lot of contract extension queries to address.
ANAHEIM, California: The Islanders’ quiet trade deadline notwithstanding, the start of free agency in four months will mark a turning point in the roster building process.
Not only are there seven players on the team whose contracts are about to expire, but there are also four others who will be eligible for extensions on July 1st, with Brock Nelson being the most uncertain of them all.
Nelson, 32, has played for the Islanders for his entire 11-year career; an extension would probably make him an Islander for Life.
His finest years have come with age, and he is a key component of the core who will likely comfortably eclipse the 30-goal threshold for a third straight season.
The subject of what his next contract will entail for the team or player is not yet front and center.
The Islanders will need to keep Nelson happy without giving away bloated terms, as the salary cap is set to increase by about $4.2 million this summer and three other key players, Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, and Kyle Palmieri, are also eligible for extensions. It will be interesting to see how negotiations are handled on both sides.
Prior to recording three assists in a 7-2 victory over San Jose on Thursday, Nelson stated to The Post, “I think you wait for that time frame to open up before you really entertain going down that road.” “You shouldn’t really concentrate on that avenue during the season.”
Dobson, whose personal worth has increased dramatically this year, was equally committed to the postseason run.
He said to The Post, “We’re trying to get a playoff spot where we’re playing these meaningful games.” You’re devoting all of your time and attention to that. At the conclusion of the season, you can consider and investigate all of that other stuff. You’re in that zone once the season starts, and you’re not
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