New York Islanders Seven Trade Worthy Power-Forwards

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Mar 21, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha (39) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the overtime period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

ANTHONY MANTHA

Anthony Mantha would be a huge pickup for the boys in blue and orange. He put up 17 goals, 19 assists for 36 points with 53 penalty minutes in 60 games played last year for Detroit.

He’s a big boy at 6’5″, 214lbs, and has shown he’s willing to drop the gloves; he fought five times last season.

At only 22 years old he still hasn’t hit his ceiling potential. Best of all with one more year left at $863,333 he’s a great deal.

Mantha is willing to go to the dirty places and has a nose for the net. His play is similar to that of Anders Lee and he would probably benefit from Lee’s tutelage. Like Lee last year, Mantha is poised for a breakout season.

The downside is that it will probably take a fair bit to wrench this young-gun away from the Wings.

The Trade

There have been rumors of interest from Detroit in defenseman Calvin de Haan; which indicates they need help on the back-end. However the Islanders aren’t as deep on the back-line since trading Hamonic during the entry draft. With that in mind the Islanders offer Bailey.

Still young at 27, the 6’1″, 210lbs Bailey is coming off his best season to date, tallying 13 goals 43 assists 56 points. His trade value is likely the highest it will ever be, and his $3,300,000 cap-hit is favorable coming off a 56 point season.

Defensive prospect Devon Toews made the AHL all-star team this year as a 23-year-old for the Sound Tigers; he even won the fastest skater award.

Toews put up five goals 40 assists for 45 points in 70 games played from the AHL blue-line. He’s got a bright future, and will likely make his NHL debut this season; a talented youth going to an aging d-core.

The Wings get a first round pick in the 2018 draft, and potentially get an extra pick in a later round the year after (incase this deal isn’t sweet enough already).

The Islanders get Mantha, and since he’s only 22 they’re not necessarily selling their future. I’m not sure this would be enough to get the deal done since Detroit is keen on Mantha, but it’s a place to start.

Detroit addresses future defensive needs, adds a reliable veteran to their roster, and stock-piles picks. I suspect Bailey would fit in nicely with the Wing’s system, and he’s familiar with longtime teammate Frans Nielsen.