Islanders lock up Warroad's Brock Nelson with six-year deal

Less than a year after losing John Tavares, the New York Islanders re-signed star center Brock Nelson before he could even test free agency.

Nelson, a native of Warroad, Minn., on Thursday agreed to terms on a $36 million, six-year contract through the 2024-25 season. Nelson scored 25 goals and set career highs with 28 assists and 53 points this season to help the Islanders make the playoffs.

"It was a bigger opportunity," Nelson said in a phone interview. "There wasn't a whole lot of talk about us being a very good team. A lot of people predicted us to be kind of at the bottom of the league. Kind of went out there to prove people wrong and a chip on our shoulder. And for me, that opportunity playing with great players throughout the year, I think just trying to step into those shoes and take advantage of that."

Getting Nelson under contract is one item on a long offseason checklist for general manager Lou Lamoriello. Captain Anders Lee of Edina and goaltender Robin Lehner are among the Islanders' potential unrestricted free agents.

With Tavares' departure for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs still fresh, the Islanders don't want to say goodbye to their captain two years in a row and would love to bring back Lehner after a bounce-back season made him a Vezina Trophy finalist.

With tickets going for $20, the Boston Bruins sold out TD Garden on Thursday night for an intrasquad scrimmage, four days before the start of the Stanley Cup Final.

Boston leading scorer Brad Marchand skated off flexing his hand near the end of the first 25-minute half. He appeared to be in discomfort on the bench but was back for his next shift.

The Ottawa Senators hired coach D.J. Smith as their new coach. He replaces interim coach Marc Crawford, who also interviewed for the position.