Brock Nelson Re-signs with New York Islanders

The New York Islanders have re-signed Brock Nelson to a six-year, $36 million contract, retaining a key center and removing a high-value center from the free agent marketplace.

Pierre LeBrun and others report the deal is front-loaded, making the contract a little more moveable — and banking more cash before any potential work stoppage — at the end of the term if conditions change later in the deal.

On that note, Arthur Staple added that the contract includes a full no-trade clause in the first two seasons, but just a modified no-trade clause for the rest of the deal. (In modern times, “modified no-trade clause” ultimately means “if we’re parting ways, I have a say in how it goes down.”)

Nelson bet on himself by taking a one-year deal just before a scheduled arbitration hearing last summer, and the bet has paid off for both him and the club. New coach Barry Trotz saw potential in Nelson as a second-line center, and Nelson rewarded that belief all season.

The deal potentially keeps some flexibility for the Islanders heading into the free agency period, as they can now focus on scoring wingers — including their own, captain Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle — without having to shop for a replacement second-line center.