The Isles need to be sellers come the trade deadline. 100%!!! Nelson, Palms, for sure, possibly Dobson and Pulock as well. Let's face it, if the Isles make the playoffs (which is doubtful in my opinion) they'll go in as a wildcard and play a #1 or #2 seed. It will be a quick exit. Then there's a high chance that Nelson signs elsewhere, so they lose him for nothing. Moving Nelson might be the quickest way to expedite a rebuild. I think they can get younger and add depth, which is so important for the Isles to turn things around quickly. Possibly having 2 first round picks (one might be a top 10 if Nelson is moved) will do wonders for this team's future.
I'd like to refer to the AHL to make my point. The last two AHL championships were played between the Hershey Bears and the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The Capitals and Vegas Knights affiliates. Who coincidently happen to be two of the best teams in the league. Prior to the Bears winning the Chicago Wolves were champions, the affiliate of the Hurricanes one of the winningest teams the last few years.
Guess which AHL team is and has been one of the worst teams in the league. Of course it's the Soundtigers/Bridgeport Islanders. That speaks volumes. When the Caps or Knights have injuries, they call up promising prospects, the Isles scout the waiver wire!!!
It's time to be real hear, the Islanders need to be sellers, this year more than any, because they have two players in Nelson and Palms that can bring in a legitimate return and make them younger. Something they haven't had in the past and I don't see getting that same return in the next year of two.
One more point regarding Nelson. The Isles could trade him before the deadline for prospects, than resign him in the offseason. That's a win/win all around.