Focused Islanders Brock Nelson Laughs At ‘Wild’ Rumors

Stefen Rosner spoke with Brock Nelson about the rumor that he was signing with the Minnesota Wild this summer.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- When the New York Islanders battled the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 28, ESPN broadcaster John Buccigross made a comment about pending unrestricted free agent Brock Nelson.

"Brock Nelson, picked by Bill Guerin (for 4 Nations Face-off). Everyone thinks Nelson is going to sign with Minnesota," Buccigross said. "It's like the worse kept secret in hockey that he'll be with the Wild next year."

Following Thursday's practice, I asked Nelson about the rumors on him going to Minnesota was a done deal.

"That's a funny one. If [Buccigross] knows the deal, I guess, have him let me know," Nelson told The Hockey News. "That's nothing that I thought about or anything like that. And I think it's also just an easy one to say that for any Minnesota guy they'd love to go back and play for Minnesota. 

"That's just part of the outside noise. I'm not trying to really think about that. I'm just trying to play and worry about it here, and all that stuff will sort itself out. Let Buccigross and the other guys speculate what they think is going to happen. Because they're not always right."

With the Islanders going 8-1-0 over their nine games and only a few points back of a wild-card spot, it becomes increasingly likley that Nelson will stay with the team through the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. 

And don't be shocked if he signs a short-term deal with the Islanders this summer if he hasn't signed the deal already. 

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