New York Islanders Action Packed Before Expansion Trade Freeze

If you’re just tunning in New York Islanders fans are sitting impatiently on social media waiting for something, anything to happen before the trade freeze.

There’s only a day before the New York Islanders, and the rest of the NHL, have to submit their protected lists to the NHL and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.

By 5 PM on Saturday, June 17th, NHL teams have to decide who they want to protect from the reach of the Vegas Golden Knights. They have until 3 PM on the same day to make any trades, waives or buyouts they want to do.

That’s why there’s this bubbling anxiety in every nook and cranny of #islestwitter.

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Why The Critics?

The Isles seem to be a piece or two away from being, at the very least, a playoff team. Maybe even a second to third round playoff team. But that ceiling isn’t achieved without a trade.

At this point, the New York Islanders head into the expansion draft losing Calvin de Haan to the Vegas Golden Knights. Or at least that’s what the overwhelming consensus is.

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It’s not that de Haan is some franchise defenseman that’s revered by all 30 teams in the NHL. But he’s the type of depth defensemen that solid blue lines need to compete at the top tier in this league.

Losing him for nothing in the expansion draft isn’t something the Isles can or should accept.

But to be fair we’ve seen a number of trade deadlines pass without any activity from the New York Islanders. Remember last seasons when the Isles were dogging it for a playoff spot and Snow moved nothing?

The Islanders still finished the season well, but it wasn’t enough to get them to the playoffs. Something we all thought needed to happen at a bare minimum for Garth Snow to keep his job this season.

But yet, nothing happened. The New York Islanders missed the playoffs after setting a great pace the previous two seasons. And Garth Snow remained in his position. So the critics aren’t wrong to be cynical.

Next: Dissatisfying Calvin de Haan Trade

But if nothing happens today don’t worry too much. Garth Snow still has until 3 PM, and frankly, a few hours passed it to keep us all guessing.