Following Friday's practice, The Hockey News spoke with New York Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly and forward Brock Nelson on their long-term friendship.
LAS VEGAS -- The New York Islanders are a close-knit group, and it doesn't take long for new players to become part of their family.
For defenseman Mike Reilly, getting acclimated to the group was anything but a challenge, as he knew a few players on the roster.
When The Hockey News asked Reilly who he's close with on the team after Friday's skate at T-Mobile Arena, he said Brock Nelson.
The two have been off-season workout buddies for years.
Although Reilly isn't from Brock Nelson's home state of Minnesota, the 30-year-old defenseman played three years at the University of Minnesota. Nelson played his college hockey at the University of North Dakota, but both played and still play in the Da Beauty League during the summer.
"We've been tight for years and years," Reilly told THN. "He's kind of the one guy...there's a lot of others too that I lean on a little bit if there are any questions.
"He's had me over for dinner a couple of times. He and his wife have taken care of me a little bit. We've grown close. I've grown close to their family and their kids. So I can pick his brain about something and lean on him a little bit for sure."
Sometimes, Nelson leans on him:
Nelson, who is donning an "A" this season, has been a leader in the Islanders locker room for years, and he's gone out of his way to make sure Reilly can just focus on his game.
"I just tried to help him out in any way," Nelson told THN. "I've never gone through something like that, a new environment. So, I'm just trying to help him out with any questions. He's comfortable and confident. He's been around a while.
"I think some people don't realize that he's been around for a bit and played. I mean, he ran the power play in Boston for a bit. He's played in some big spots. So he knows the game and knows the business side of it. So when he came here, I just tried to help."
It's not just Nelson and his wife that have treated Reilly like family.
The little ones running around the Nelson household did their part as well.
"I remember when he first came over, he hung out with the kids and played some mini sticks," Nelson said. "And we had dinner, so that was fun. He's familiar with my family, which is great."
Despite never playing for the same organization at the NHL level until now, Nelson monitored his friend's career and gave THN a play-by-play on how things went when the Florida Panthers placed Reilly on waivers on Nov. 24.
"Actually, it was funny because he had texted that he was going on waivers before our injuries happened, and that's part of the timing of it, too, in this business is crucial," Nelson said. "You get the right time and opportunity, and you just try to run with it. I think Mikey's a prime example of that right now.
"So when it worked out the next day, he said the Islanders put a claim in for him, and he was coming. He immediately was looking at what time he was coming."
No one ever wants to have players go down, but when it was clear that the Islanders were going to need a defenseman, he was hoping the Islanders would snag his pal.
"I love it. Like I said, he's great. I think he's awesome. I love working out with him. He's been a friend for a while now," Nelson said. "I like his game. To have a guy like that that you work out with and see all year round Is cool.
"I hang out with him a lot, go to dinners a lot now, and always try to track him when he isn't with us. So to have it now is exciting. I saw his family Thursday in Arizona. It's great."
You can watch Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert live Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season at twitch.tv/hockeynightny.