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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
How can you not be romantic about hockey?
We get emotionally attached to players. It’s a unique blend of passion, loyalty, and admiration. When a homegrown kid grows up to spend his entire adult life with a franchise, these players become more than just athletes—they feel like family. Brock Nelson is one of those players.
Last night, he skated in his 901st game with the Islanders (4th all-time) and was the game’s first star, scoring a goal and assisting on another as the Islanders defeated the NHL’s top team. The 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets was, perhaps, one last attempt to plead with management to give a resilient but deficient group one last run together. Conventional wisdom says that won’t happen.
"They love this organization. Brock's been here from the start. He did a lot for this franchise,” reflected Patrick Roy. “I'm sure it's a moment that they do not control but at the same time, it's a business, isn't it?"
A business it is, indeed. Reports indicate that GM Lou Lamoriello has let it be known that the Islanders are open for business and have started engaging teams about Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, and perhaps others. Does that guarantee that one, both, or more will be on the move before Friday? No. However, if you take the emotion out of it and put all the sentimental value aside, moves must be made in the organization's best interests regardless of how it makes us feel.
"I've had conversations with Lou, and I've been honest, and I really, truly have just been worried about here and playing and doing everything we can here to win,” said Nelson, who was visibly emotional during a post-game interview with Shannon Hogan at the bench after the game.
Following a hockey team and watching players like Nelson has been a shared experience, and the emotional connection to players over many years is what makes rooting for them so great but can also make saying goodbye so hard.
