Andy Andreoff | C
Mathew Barzal | C
Casey Cizikas | C
Austin Czarnik | C
Reece Newkirk | C
Jean-Gabriel Pageau | C
Brock Nelson
ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Six Forward
STRENGTHS
Shot: Nelson is a strong finisher because he positions himself well in the offensive zone. He understands how to open up his blade for tap-ins and recognizes where to go to optimize his team’s spacing. His wrister is made even more dangerous by his shot selection, as the vast majority of his bids come from the middle of the ice.
Size: At 6’4” and 212 pounds, he’s a hulking forward whose mere presence will draw attention in the slot. He can stand his ground down low or disrupt the opposition’s possession with his strength and reach. Though he isn’t all that physical, he can still impose his will when he feels like it.
Reliable: He isn’t quite shutdown material, but he’ll give you solid three-zone play more often than not. He’s diligent along the boards and one of the better takeaway artists in the game. With his size and skating, he’s simply a difficult player to line up against.
WEAKNESSES
Passive: Despite boasting the tools required to dominate games, Nelson will typically be content just doing his part. He doesn’t drive the action and will take a backseat if one of his linemates decides to grab the reins. A more assertive Nelson would be scary for the Eastern Conference and a huge boon to the Islanders.
Faceoffs: Nelson is by and large a dependable player, but you don’t want to throw him out there for a key faceoff. He’s only won over 50% of his draws once in his career and usually falls well below that threshold. This obviously limits his usage in do-or-die situations.
