New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson is viewing his time with Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off as a breather from trade rumors that have followed him throughout the season.
"It's a mental break," Nelson told Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "It's something you kind of put on pause a little bit just being here."
Nelson is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $6-million cap hit, and he's widely regarded as the top rental center potentially available before the March 7 trade deadline. He also has a 16-team no-trade list.
The 33-year-old is eligible to sign an extension with the Islanders at any point, an outcome that seemed unlikely until the club recently surged into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. New York entered the 4 Nations break four points back of a wild-card spot.
Nelson admitted there's lots to consider in determining his future over the next few weeks.
"I want what's best for me, family, team and everything. So, there's a lot of factors that go into it," he said. "I know everybody kind of wants an answer right now, but that's not how the world works. You don't always get what you want, too."
Nelson's notched 35 points in 55 games this season and has surpassed 30 goals in each of the past three campaigns. He was a first-round pick of the Islanders in 2010 and has spent his entire 12-year career with the club.
