For all the words spilled over what the Islanders should do with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, that is — in theory — the easy part of this process.

Teams are still waiting to hear back from GM Lou Lamoriello as to Nelson's availability as of Wednesday and extension talks are ongoing.

All indications are that president/general manager Lou Lamoriello has fielded calls from other teams with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri pending unrestricted free agents and potential fits for several playoff contenders. Nelson has confirmed his camp has engaged with Lamoriello on contract extension discussions.

A second-round pick (No. 39) by the Washington Capitals at the 2014 NHL Draft, Vanecek is 94-52-20 with a 2.82 GAA, a .903 save percentage and nine shutouts in 181 regular-season games (169 starts) with the Capitals, Devils and Sharks, and 2-4 with a 4.52 GAA and an .834 save percentage in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games (seven starts).

He has already moved Marcus Pettersson, Michael Bunting and recently acquired Vincent Desharnais. If he wants to continue retooling, Rickard Rakell would fetch a good price because the 29-goal scorer has three years left on his contract. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and forward Anthony Beauvillier are pending UFAs.

Palmieri scored a power-play goal and took two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Jets. The 34-year-old veteran winger has been hot in recent games and has found the back of the net in six of his last eight contests,

The New York Islanders are on the clock. After coming out of the break and going 3-3-0, they have fallen to 13th in the Eastern Conference. They currently sit just three points outside of a playoff spot.