New York Islanders
New York Islanders Expectations For Brock Nelson
New York Islanders

New York Islanders Expectations For Brock Nelson

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Brock Nelson had an up and down year for the New York Islanders last year. Here’s what you can expect out of Brock in 2016-2017.

If you didn’t watch a single game the Islanders played last year and just looked at a basic stat sheet you would thing that Brock Nelson had a good year. Although that doesn’t tell the entire story.

26 goals was enough for second to only John Tavares. He even led the team in goals for a while, but his disappearing act in the second half of last year was concerning.

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He wasn’t particularly good in the playoffs either scoring just one goal in 11 games. So how can Nelson have a better year in 2016-2017?

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Line Consistency

Jack Capuano loves to shuffle up the lines. Last year Brock played center and left wing. It’s difficult for a player to settle in when his role and line mates keep changing. With Frans Nielsen gone, Nelson should center the second line.

Having Brock know his role I think will end up helping him throughout the season. It’s still to be determined who he’s playing with but just knowing he will center the second line should ease his mind.

Potential

It’s all about potential with the Islanders young forwards. Brock Nelson has potential to be a 30 goal and 50+ point player a year. It’s a matter of living up to the potential. He’s had 40+ points each of the last two season. Can he take the next step now?

The Prediction

I don’t know If I’m ready to commit to expecting 50 points from Brock Nelson this year. I’d rather shoot low and be pleasantly surprised than set the bar too high. I’ll say he finishes just under, with 48 points.

28 goals 20 assists 48 points

He was at 40 points last year so it would be an eight point increase, just not that huge step up to the 50 point plateau.

Although the Islanders have hinted at Ryan Strome centering the third line, I wouldn’t mind a kid line reunion (Lee-Nelson-Strome) on the second line with Mathew Barzal making the team as the third line center.

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