New York Islanders and an Offer Sheet Option

The New York Islanders need reinforcements but only have a few avenues to do so. The draft is done, free agency will likely claim more than we gain, the trade market has a few possibilities; but what about offer sheets?

The New York Islanders, like every other team, need to use every tool at its disposal in order to improve it’s standing in the league. But there’s one tool that is rarely used; the offer sheet. And the Islanders shouldn’t be above using it.

It seems that the biggest knock against using an offer sheet is the poisonous effect it could have on GM-to-GM relationships. Which is honestly understandable in the closed market that is the NHL executive class.

GMs get fired frequently enough, but they also get rehired with an almost similar frequency. You don’t want to bite the hand that might feed you later. But isn’t anything fair in the world of business?

If an offer sheet is the best way for you to improve your club, it’s the GM’s duty to at the very least to explore that option. And the Islanders should definitely use it.

Who to Target with an Offer Sheet

We’ve often said that the time is now for Garth Snow to act. With Okposo leaving to free agency, Snow needs to sure up his attacking talent and provide proper support for franchise talisman John Tavares.

Related Story: Garth Snow Needs to Act Now to Improve Isles

According to General Fanager, the Islanders are in a position to offer sheet any player, no matter the contract they offer him. The max they could lose is four first rounders for a contract worth $9,388,080 or more.

Isles fans wanted Snow to trade his first round pick this year if it meant a top-line winger could be secured. Instead, Snow drafted Kieffer Bellows. Not that Bellows is a bad player. Getting him at 19 is great. But it does nothing to help the Isles right now.

So if Snow was going to use an offer sheet who does he target? How about the Calgary Flames Johnny Gaudreau? The Calgary Flame LW put up 78 points on a truly terrible Flames team that ended the regular season 26th in the league.

Gaudreau is the perfect type of winger to partner with John Tavares on the top-line. He’s skilled, dynamic, and creative. He’s only been in the league two full years but he’s already scoring at a 0.89 points-per-game rate.

He’s the type of player that moves that figurative needle forward for the Islanders. It gives Tavares skilled winger that fans have been asking for for years now.

There’s just one problem. The Flames have a ton of cap space left. According to Cap Friendly, the Flames have $19.9 million in cap space remaining. And they don’t have too many contracts pending.

Next: How can the Islanders Get Better?

Gaudreau and Sean Monahan are the two big RFA’s the Flames need to sign. And $19 million is certainly enough to get that done. The Islanders only hope is that whatever they offer Gaudreau it’s a number the Flames scoff at.