Maple Leafs Should Acquire Islanders’ Palmieri, Not Nelson

The trade deadline is only a few days away, and all 32 teams are preparing accordingly. The New York Islanders are one of the major players since they can buy or sell, and based on every game result, the mood shifts on which strategy is best. If they end up trading away their pending unrestricted free agents, they have two of the best players to move at this deadline, notably Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, on the other hand, will be one of the bigger buyers, with their team in the Cup conversation but in need of a few pieces. They will target a top-six forward, or at least a forward who can add scoring depth. While Nelson, an All-Star-caliber player who was on the United States roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, is the player many fans will want them to add, he’s not who they should target. Instead, Palmieri is the one who makes more sense to acquire, as he fits with their lineup.

Palmieri Fills Positional Need

Nelson is a top-six center who plays on the Islanders’ second line but can play the top line if needed. The Maple Leafs have enough centers, with Auston Matthews and John Tavares leading the top two lines. Sure, they can move Nelson to the wing, but that’s going to change how he plays and his value in the offense. He’s a skater who plays best in the center position, where he can find the back of the net from the slot but also set up scoring chances with his passing.

Palmieri plays the wing and provides a great shot to the top six. The Maple Leafs have Mitch Marner and William Nylander on the right wing already, so Palmieri can move to the left wing to play a top-six role. While his primary position is the right wing, he’s played both positions and would still provide a scoring presence and round out the top six.

Nelson’s Price Tag vs Palmieri’s Price Tag

Nelson will require a team to move at least two pieces in a return. Islanders general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello will want an NHL-ready player and a prospect to help the team retool on the fly. If he must settle in a deal, he’ll ask for a first-round draft selection instead. Nelson is the Islanders’ most valuable trade asset, and while he’s not a star that will bring three pieces back in a deal, he’s good enough to get two pieces back in a trade.

Palmieri, on the other hand, won’t cost as much. While he’s a great player, he’s far from a star and will receive two pieces back in a trade at most. He’s the type of player who the Islanders can flip in a one-for-one trade where they add a young player under team control.

The Maple Leafs don’t have enough future assets to acquire Nelson. They don’t have a great prospect pool and lack a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft after they acquired defenseman Jake McCabe. They can pull off a stunner and move a few of their young skaters, but it’s unlikely. Palmieri is a reasonable add since they can move one or two prospects to land him.

The Maple Leafs Address Depth

The Maple Leafs won’t make a big move for Nelson and then play him in the bottom six. That can happen if they acquire him and keep him at center, as he’d lead the third line. This team has plenty of firepower in their top six and needs more forward depth.

Palmieri can play on the second line but also the third line if needed. Sure, he has the skill to round out the top six, but he can round out the forward unit and make the team a deeper one come playoff time. Overall, Palmieri is the more versatile skater, and it makes him a better player to target for a team looking to add more versatility to their lineup.

Why Nelson Could Still Be Maple Leafs’ Top Target

For all the issues and obstacles, Nelson is the best player on the trade block and makes the biggest difference. He can make a borderline contender a favorite to win it all. He’s too good to pass up. It also helps that he plays better defense than Palmieri and most forwards. The Maple Leafs need two-way forwards and, notably, forwards who can defend to make a playoff run. Head coach Craig Berube was hired this offseason to have this team playing playoff hockey, and they are. Nelson is a player who fits the Berube bill and would get this team over the hump.

There’s a world where the Maple Leafs acquire Nelson and move him to the wing, and it works out. He’s a scorer first, and playing alongside Tavares will help him find open looks on the net. That said, the Maple Leafs need to thread the needle to make this trade work, and Palmieri brings fewer headaches.

Do you think the Maple Leafs should target Nelson or Palmieri? Let us know in the comment section below!