Islanders' Brock Nelson will be an NHL Skills Competition sharpshooter
Brock Nelson of the Islanders celebrates his third-period goal against the Red Wings at UBS Arena on Friday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Brock Nelson saw his event assignment for Friday night’s NHL Skills Competition at FLA Live Arena and felt a sense of relief.
“I just didn’t want to be in the Fastest Skater,” the Islanders center said on Thursday during media day. Instead, he will participate in the Accuracy Shooting competition.
Nelson, 31, who has 19 goals and 27 assists while playing in all of the Islanders’ 52 games, is a first-time All-Star.
“People were asking me if I was excited,” he said. “Obviously, a lot of excitement, but I didn’t really know what to expect. For me, it’ll be special. My kids are here to enjoy it, some family has come in. I’m trying to take it all in. The weather, you can’t beat this spot.”
Nelson was speaking at a podium with his back to the Atlantic Ocean. As he spoke, Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin walked by him to his podium. After Nelson joked about not wanting to be in the fastest skater event, he was asked which skills he would take from any of his fellow All-Stars.
“You could probably pick a few, right?” Nelson said. “You saw Ovi walk by. That goal-scoring shot there, that would be a nice touch.”
Sorokin said what?
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin and Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin — good friends growing up in Russia and now 2022-23 All-Stars — will compete in the Tendy Tandem. One goaltender will be assigned as a shooter and the other to tend the net.
Sorokin said he is the better shooter.
“No,” Shesterkin said, laughing. “Unfortunately, he is so bad. If you got a soccer net, maybe he can score.”
Zibanejad for Selke?
Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and Shesterkin both believe Mika Zibanejad, who was not selected to the Metropolitan Division squad, should be a Selke Trophy candidate as the NHL’s top defensive forward.
“He’s a smart player,” Shesterkin said. “Two-way forward. I still don’t understand why he didn’t get the Selke Trophy.”
Said Fox: “I think he’s definitely one of the better two-way centers in the league, for sure.”
Panarin coming Friday
Travel issues delayed Artemi Panarin’s arrival in Florida so the Rangers left wing did not participate in Thursday’s media day.
Panarin will compete in the Accuracy Shooting event on Friday.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
