It has been two months since we did a Wild mailbag and several months since we did an ‘Ask Russo and Smith’ mailbag, but with Joe back on the clock, there’s no better time to answer many of your questions.

According to industry sources, the Washington Capitals have checked in on New York Islanders ' pending unrestricted free agent forward, Brock Nelson. While any potential team that acquires Nelson would likely want him to extend, given the cost, the Capitals are believed to have no issue with him being a pure rental.

The Washington Capitals currently sit atop the NHL standings and hope that success translates to the postseason, and per industry sources, they've looked at New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson as a potential rental option.

As a pending unrestricted free agent with a $6-million cap hit, Nelson is seen as the ideal rental for teams looking to bolster their lineup ahead of the playoffs with the Islanders expected to miss the postseason, thus becoming sellers at the deadline.

The Jets are an excellent team worthy of an all-in approach. Who should be their ideal targets at the trade deadline?

Brock Nelson’s current scoring drought reached 17 games Sunday, but Roy does not have to approach it the same way with No. 29. Nelson is not one to beat himself up, like Horvat, or get frustrated, like Mat Barzal. At least publicly, he is steady and optimistic, almost without fail.

With the NHL trade deadline approaching, New York Islanders center Brock Nelson has become a player drawing serious attention. Ranked No. 1 on Daily Faceoff’s Trade Targets board, Nelson has several teams that potentially see him as an ideal fit.

Nelson, 33, is a coveted acquisition for contenders looking to add immediate impact down the middle of the ice. He becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, so given the circumstances, Nelson's 12 years on Long Island are likely to come to an end by the March 7 trade deadline.

Brock Nelson snapped a 17-game streak without a goal in the Islanders’ 4-0 win over the Golden Knights on Thursday night in Las Vegas.

The Minnesota native is up to 13 goals and 28 points through 45 appearances in 2024-25.

Brock Nelson scored the go-ahead goal about midway through the second period Saturday night as the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 in Elmont, N.Y.