The New York Islanders enter the NHL trade deadline with a lot of questions to answer. They have pending free agents and sit outside of a playoff spot. But the Eastern Conference is weak and one key piece could catapult them up the standings.

Since New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal went down with a left knee-cap injury on Feb. 1, we have not been able to talk to him.

Brock Nelson just spent 10 days participating in “some of the most intense, high-packed energy and clean hockey” of his career playing for runner-up Team USA in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. “An incredible experience, something I’ll forever remember,” Nelson said.

The New York Islanders are back from the international break with big decisions to make. They are five points back of the final playoff spot with two games in hand over the Detroit Red Wings. But they have multiple pending free agents that they could move at the March 7 trade deadline.

If he wants to stay with the club for the remainder of his career, what he gave on Tuesday was far from an overwhelming endorsement.

New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson had a quiet 4 Nations tournament. But that doesn't mean the pending unrestricted free agent's trade value took any kind of hit.