New York Islanders Seven Trade Worthy Power-Forwards

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Apr 2, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (92) skates with the puck in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Gabriel Landeskog

Joe Sakic and the Avalanche are beginning a tough time and hopefully an un-impeded re-build to the glory of yesteryear. Sakic seems willing to deal talent for youth and to rebuild his blue-line. I have my eyes set on the team captain, Gabriel Landeskog.

Landeskog is a proven top caliber forward with 6 years of experience under his belt, but he’s still young at only 24. He brings offense, defense, grit, leadership, hardwork…the whole package.

He’ll go to the dirty places and dig out the puck. Plus Lande will protect his teammates; he’s unafraid to drop the gloves, even against bigger opponents.

The 6’1″, 215lbs Swedish born forward is coming off his poorest full season since joining the league, only 18 goals 15 assists with 62 penalty minutes in 72 games played. Granted Colorado was awful in general last year. Still, it might’ve lowered his selling price.

He is under contract thru the 20/21 season for $5,571,429. Reasonable, but this year coming up is the last year before a modified NMC kicks in on the contract. If Colorado wants to deal him their window may be closing.

The Trade

Colorado gets Josh Bailey to replace their winger. Bailey is coming off his best season statistically. He’s still only 27, playing at the top of his game. Plus he comes with a reasonable cap-hit.

Devon Toews made the AHL all-star team this year as a 23 year old. The Sound Tiger back-liner put up 45 points with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. He’s got upside, and is ready to make his NHL debut this season.

The draft picks are just to sweeten the deal. If we can get away with lower picks, or less picks that would be great, but we’ll probably need them to convince old Joe to let Lande go.

…and the Islanders get…Landeskog!!! This trade fits just fine within both teams salary-cap parameters, and it’s crazy/sane enough it just might work.

Landeskog would bring a positive work ethic to the team, maybe even enough to spark some hustle in Brock Nelson’s game. I think Ladd would be a good role model for him too once they’ve had a laugh over the beating Landeskog laid on him back in ’14.