The NHL trade deadline is just five days away, and the Edmonton Oilers still have some shopping to do.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

On Monday morning, we looked at Buffalo's Alex Tuch and his possible fit in Edmonton's top six. Next, we'll check in with another big-bodied veteran forward: Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders.

The Player

The 33-year-old Nelson has been a mainstay on Long Island for 12 seasons, just one game shy of his 900th game with the only NHL team he's ever known. The Minnesota native is a big (6'4", 205 lbs), rangy, do-it-all forward who can play both centre and left wing as well as pitch in on the penalty kill (3 shorthanded goals this year)

Nelson took a step forward in 2021-22, cracking the 30-goal plateau for the first time with 37 at age 30. He's become more of a volume shooter since, scoring 36 and 34 the past two years. He's on pace for 26 goals and 57 points this season, in the final year of a six-year contract worth $6 million annually.

The Good

Nelson is a Swiss Army Knife. He can score, he can make plays, he can play off the rush or on the cycle, he can handle himself in his own zone, and he can kill penalties. Though his scoring rate has dipped this season, he's always been a great finisher (career 14.1% shooting percentage) and the Islanders aren't exactly blessed with a ton of offensive talent around him.

Nelson also brings plenty of playoff experience, with 27 goals and 50 points in 78 career playoff games. He was a huge part of the Islanders' consecutive runs to the eastern conference finals in 2020 and 2021, leading the Isles in goals (9) in the 2020 bubble.

Trending Oilers Articles

Edmonton Oilers 2025 Trade Deadline Tracker

Oilers' Deadline Plans Complicated By New Details

Oilers Trade Targets: Can Alex Tuch Unlock The Top Six?

Oilers' Evander Kane: 3 Potential Trade Destinations

3 Edmonton Oilers Who Might Get Traded EDMONTON – Everything comes with a price. 

The Bad

Nelson has a lot of miles on him. Though he's not as old as he looks, he's played a lot of hockey and this season's scoring dip could be the start of a decline. That's more of an issue for whoever signs him this offseason, but the Oilers already have a veteran-heavy roster and Nelson certainly wouldn't make them any younger.

That being said, the bigger issue is acquisition cost. Apart from finding a way to fit his $6 million cap hit, the Oilers will be competing with every other contender for Nelson's services at the deadline. He'd be a perfect fit just about anywhere, and teams like Winnipeg and Minnesota have more in the way of prospects and picks to offer the Islanders. 

The Verdict

Nelson would be a no-brainer for the Oilers. He can play anywhere in the lineup, and he can fill any role. His finishing talent would be invaluable to a team that's had trouble converting scoring chances into actual goals, and his size would be a great counterweight to undersized forwards like Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner.

The Oilers should absolutely be in on him, but it'll take some work. They would either need the Islanders to retain some money or send out money to fit Nelson in, and they'll have to pony up a substantial package to beat out the other contenders sniffing around him.

As it stands, he's not quite as attractive an option as Alex Tuch, but Brock Nelson would be a near-ideal addition for the Oilers.

Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.