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.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has changed player agencies just weeks before the trade deadline, fueling speculation about his future. While it’s not uncommon for players to switch agents, doing so in the middle of the season—especially amid trade speculation—has raised a few eyebrows.

The best fit for Brock Nelson is the Minnesota Wild. While the Islanders won't be able to get a 2025 first-round pick in the deal, they could pull away a defensive prospect that would help them. The Wild would get better by making this deal, could re-sign him this offseason, and sell the “hometown kid” aspect of the deal.

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.