Check out the latest on Brock Nelson, Dylan Cozens and Taylor Hall plus updates on the Penguins and Rangers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON BROCK NELSON

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the Dallas Stars have an interest in Brock Nelson. However, it’s unclear if the New York Islanders will move the 33-year-old center.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin included the Stars on his list of five trade destinations to watch for Nelson. The others included the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets.

New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said last week that he wasn’t thinking about the March 7 trade deadline, focussing on his club’s performance instead. He’s indicated his club’s performance over the next couple of months will determine what he does by the deadline.

TSN’s Darren Dreger recently included Nelson among the players he considers “high-rent districts” for the Leafs. He believes they’ll look at inexpensive rental options at center. The Leafs can’t afford a center like Nelson unless one of their expensive forwards goes on long-term injury reserve for the remainder of the regular season.

FLAMES INTERESTED IN DYLAN COZENS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun indicated the Calgary Flames are among “a very long list” of teams who have contacted the Buffalo Sabres about Dylan Cozens. He said the Flames have been scouring the trade market in search of a right-shot center who is 25 or younger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Calgary Sun’s Kent Wilson recently examined the pros and cons of acquiring Cozens. He thinks that move could be a bad bet for the Flames, citing his mediocre production, $7.1 million average annual value, and the Sabres’ asking price.

TAYLOR HALL IS PREPARED TO BE TRADED

NHL.COM: Tracey Myers reports Taylor Hall knows he could be playing with another team by the March 7 trade deadline. The 33-year-old winger is UFA-eligible this summer. He’d like to remain with the Blackhawks but doesn’t know if that’s the case anymore.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks could move Hall if they get a suitable offer that benefits them now or over the long term. They’re stuck at the bottom of the standings again and must bring in players this summer who can immediately boost their roster.

TRADES ARE COMING FOR THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reported the Pittsburgh Penguins’ improved performance since late November hasn’t changed GM Kyle Dubas’ plans to be a seller at the trade deadline.

Yohe cited league sources expecting Dubas to make multiple deals. Pending free-agent defenseman Marcus Pettersson is as good as gone. One source told Yohe that the only safe players are those with no-trade clauses like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Rickard Rakell could be an exception as they don’t feel any rush to move him, though Yohe believes everyone has a price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This piece was published before the Penguins placed goaltender Tristan Jarry on waivers. Given his struggles between the pipes and his $5.375 million AAV through 2027-28, it’ll be surprising if another club claims him. I also don’t see him getting traded. A contract buyout in June appears more likely

The most likely trade candidates are UFA-eligible players like Pettersson, Matt Nieto, Anthony Beauvillier and Matt Grzelcyk. Players with a year or two left on their contracts, like Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte and Michael Bunting, could also be shopped by the deadline.

UPDATE ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks speculated earlier this week that the Rangers’ recent improvement likely won’t turn them from sellers into renters at the trade deadline.

Brooks believes GM Chris Drury won’t sacrifice future assets for quick fixes to gain the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. He wonders if recently acquired Will Borgen will have more value as a trade chip or on the Rangers blueline. The 28-year-old defenseman is coming up on free agency this summer. Brooks also isn’t sure how long the Rangers can keep going forward with oft-injured center Filip Chytil.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Remy Mastey cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli speculating whether Ryan Lindgren would be a good fit with the Detroit Red Wings. The gritty 26-year-old defenseman is on a one-year, $4.5 million contract and is eligible for UFA status on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drury has been busy in this season’s trade market, shipping Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken. He’s also believed to have permitted blueliner Zac Jones to speak to other clubs about a trade.

Barring a substantial rally in the standings, expect the Rangers to be sellers by March 7.