Brock Nelson re-signs for 6 years, $ 36 million with the New York Islanders

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

Pierre LeBrun and others report that the deal is negotiated up front, which makes the contract a bit more mobile – and more cash before any potential work stoppages – at the end of the period if the conditions change later in the agreement.

On this note, Arthur Staple added that the contract included a full non-exchange clause during the first two seasons, but simply a modified non-exchange clause for the remainder of the transaction. (In modern times, "a modified non-exchange clause" ultimately means "if we separate, I have a say in how that happens".)

Nelson bet on himself by taking a one – year contract just before an arbitration hearing scheduled last summer, and the bet bore fruit for him and the club. New coach Barry Trotz saw the potential in Nelson as a second-line center, and Nelson rewarded that conviction all season.

The deal potentially leaves room for the Islanders entering the free time, as they can now focus on tagging the wingers – including their own captain, Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle – without having to buy a second-line replacement center.