New York Islanders and the Case for Milan Lucic

With this year’s free agent frenzy approaching, Steven Stamkos’ name has been bandied about as a (long-shot) option for the New York Islanders. Considering the money it would take to lure Stamkos to Brooklyn, Milan Lucic might just be a more feasible option.

Everyone wants Steven Stamkos. I’m just going to preface this entire thing by saying if you know me, you know I want Stamkos. It’s been an adventure seeing his name attached to the New York Islanders (thanks for that, Elliot and Bob) and it’s been a rollercoaster of hope and doom when it comes to the probable free agent center.

The real question is: how feasible is signing Stamkos for the long haul? There are some possibilities when it comes to freeing up money, especially with the departure of Kyle Okposo, Matt Martin, and Frans Nielsen. Unloading the now burdensome contracts of Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin are at the top of that list. Assume for a minute or two that’s possible and part of the plan.

Then assume Stamkos would even have an interest in Brooklyn. With the Islanders’ history with free agents, it can be considered a stretch. Sure, there’s the connection Stamkos has with John Tavares. There’s even two straight 100 point seasons and a playoff series win to show that the Islanders are becoming contenders. There are a couple Stanley Cup winners on the team and a prospect pool that offers promise for the Isles’ future.

Assume for a moment the Islanders and Stamkos are able to come to an agreement about where he plays. Because the guy prefers to plays center. Does he play wing for Tavares? Does Tavares play wing for him? Does he center a second line? $11 million is a lot to pay a second line guy.

So let’s assume money gets moved, Stamkos is interested in Brooklyn, and positioning is worked out (with Stamkos playing wing). Garth Snow sells it and makes it happen for the $10 or $11 million Stamkos wants and is going to command. Isles universe is happy dancing and Stamkos and Tavares are redefining the two-headed monster.

This is the dream right here, folks.  Right until it comes time to resign Tavares and the Islanders are in danger of becoming sellers in much the same way as the Blackhawks are.

Snow never lets the future of this team out of his sight and that’s both a blessing and a curse. This year’s draft is pretty much proof of that. Signing Stamkos for the money the market says he’ll command AND signing Tavares for the money he’ll command and deserve will certainly put the team in an untenable position.

The options have been discussed to death. Players have been listed and argued for or against, but if we’re talking free agency, a case has to be made for Milan Lucic over Stamkos as far as feasibility goes.

Lucic is going to cost, but not Stamkos money. He’s not going to put up Stamkos’ offensive numbers, either, but he’s generally a good possession player with solid offensive numbers. He brings size and toughness and a mean streak that frankly the Islanders need.

The idea of Lucic raises a question of why pay him and not Okposo? While Okposo edges Lucic out on offensive numbers, Lucic takes possession and defensive responsibility. Okposo plays with his own brand of toughness, but Lucic by far exceeds that. There’ll be an argument of time Lucic spends in the box, but the loss of Matt Martin will offset that. There’s also attitude and Lucic’s penchant for being an all out jerk, but there are no bones about the guy and one thing sticks in my head.

Next: New York Islanders Need Both Greiss and Halak

Playoffs. What Milan Lucic will do for the Islanders is make sure a guy like Brian Boyle won’t maul John Tavares without paying for it. That’s something the Islanders – and Tavares – missed and need. And that’s a game-changer the Islanders can afford.