It isn't a matter of whether it would be a good move to trade Nelson. I think most of us would agree that it is EXACTLY the type of move Lou should consider as well as finding out what they could get for Palmieri, coming off 30 goals where his value isn't likely to be higher. They are the two players (and arguably only two among the regulars) where we wouldn't have to attach an asset(s) to move them and are likely getting something meaningful back.
Those added picks (perhaps as high as a 1st and 2nd, and maybe as many as 3 high picks/ or perhaps some young top end prospects- coupled with our 1st rounder and (2) 2nd rounders we currently have) and $11 million in payroll would go a long way to adding some much needed skill and youth to this team- which everyone can agree is built upon the futures of Barzal (27), Dobson (24), Sorokin (28-which is relatively young for a G) and to a lesser extent both of Horvat (29) and Romanov (24)...
Who wouldn't want that??
But reality is realizing who our GM is and that isn't how he operates and I have seen little to nothing to suggest he is going to make these type of moves, whether you want to call it a partial rebuild or whatever.
It simply isn't going to happen