New York Islanders Have Three Options At Deadline

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Feb 19, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Jason Chimera (25) celebrates his goal during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Barclays Center. New York Islanders won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

The NHL trade deadline is just three days away, so what do the New York Islanders do on March 1st? They only have three options.

After a humiliating loss to the Blue Jackets, the New York Islanders are sitting just outside the last eastern conference wild-card spot thanks to a lower ROW than the Bruins. So with the trade deadline coming, what do the Islanders do?

Do they buy to push them into that last wild-card spot, do they sell and hope they still make it, or do they do nothing and just hope they have enough to get through?

The entire Eastern Conference is potentially in play for the playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes are just above last (tied on points but a with a better ROW) with 58 points, ten points behind the Boston Bruins at 68 points with four games in hand.

And for that reason, the trade market has absolutely favored sellers. Why sell if team ‘X’ still has a shot at the playoffs?

With any number of buyers that price for whatever asset skyrockets. The Carolina Hurricanes have already dealt Ron Hainsey for a second round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Make that trade earlier in the season and the return won’t be nearly as high.

So what do the Islanders do at the deadline?