New York Islanders Roundtable: Tavares’ Worth in Trade Market

Billy Lewis

The worst headline imaginable for an Islanders’ fan would be something saying John Tavares gets traded. It doesn’t’ feel right to talk about it, but that is what we have to do here.

The package you get in return for Tavares would have to depend on when you trade him. The best package would be trading him between now and the trade deadline. Let’s say you trade him over the summer, you should still get a great package in return. If you wait to trade him until next season’s trade deadline, then you probably don’t get as much on the return.

All in all, if the Islanders did make Tavares available the suitors would be lining up. One thing for certain is I would stay away from the Eastern Conference. Unless an Eastern Conference team blows me away with a package, I would focus on the West.

I would be looking to get two star-caliber players and a first round pick. One team that comes to mind would be the Calgary Flames. They have Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Dougie Hamilton. I would look to get two of the three and a first round pick for Tavares.

Let’s say you look to package Tavares and Jaroslav Halak to trade this year. I would think the Dallas Stars would come into play. I’d look to swap Tavares and Halak for Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza, and a first rounder.

I hope it doesn’t come to it, but if the Islanders had to trade Tavares I feel these two deals would make some sense. The best trade the Islanders can make for Tavares is trading his current deal for a long-term contract extension.