Trade Pitch Sees Maple Leafs Adding Former 37-Goal Scorer in Blockbuster

The Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the NHL’s leading teams, are considering a trade proposal to acquire a star forward. Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, a user suggested that Toronto could bring in Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders in a high-stakes deal.

**Trade Proposal:**
**Maple Leafs acquire:**
– Brock Nelson (with $3 million salary retained)

**Islanders acquire:**
– Nick Robertson
– Mikko Kokkonen
– 2026 first-round pick
– 2025 third-round pick (from Edmonton)

This blockbuster deal would give the Maple Leafs Nelson, a proven goal-scorer, to strengthen their offense ahead of the playoffs. For the Islanders, this trade could mark the beginning of a rebuild, adding two draft picks and two young talents to their roster. Nelson, currently in the last season of his six-year, $36 million contract, has 8 points (6 goals, 2 assists) in 15 games. His career-high is 37 goals, achieved in 2021-22, and he’s recorded 539 points over 855 career games.

In return, Toronto would part with two draft picks and forward Nick Robertson, a 23-year-old who recently requested a trade before signing a one-year deal. Robertson has 1 goal in 14 games this season and could potentially fill Nelson’s offensive role for the Islanders. Defenseman Mikko Kokkonen, selected in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, could also compete for NHL minutes with New York.

**Maple Leafs Dealing with Injuries**
Toronto, currently in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 9-5-2 record, is struggling with key injuries. Star forward Auston Matthews was placed on injured reserve, though coach Craig Berube reported that Matthews’ recovery is progressing. In Toronto’s 4-1 win over Montreal on November 9, veteran Max Pacioretty left the game with a lower-body injury, with his status to be reevaluated.

**Islanders’ Slow Start**
The Islanders, 6-6-3 and fifth in the Metropolitan Division, could be potential sellers at the trade deadline if they don’t improve. The team recently lost 4-3 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils, a game they led 3-1 entering the third period. Veteran Kyle Palmieri acknowledged the team’s resilience despite a tough loss. The Islanders are also facing injury challenges, with key players like Mike Reilly, Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech, and Anthony Duclair all out long-term.