New York Islanders Seven Trade Worthy Power-Forwards

Evander Kane

Alright I know it too. This guys got a rep; attitude problems, legal issues, etc….the stigma has hung over him like Eeyore’s cloud for years now. He’s been traded before, plus he has a $5,250,000 contract, so why should the Isles take notice?

Kane just put up his best numbers since he signed that contract five years ago  (28 goals 15 assists and 43 points) and he’s still 25 years young.

Also, he put those numbers up this season after being injured early on and not producing much during the first half of the season while he recuperated.

But recover he did. The second half of Kane’s season resembled Andrew Ladd’s or Anders Lee’s…or indeed the entire Isles team once Weight took over.

With his contract up for renegotiation after next season, he’ll want to show he’s still packing a wallop so he can re-sign at a good rate.

The 6’2″, 211lbs Kane is a fierce competitor. He fights, gets dirty, and goes to the net. His smash-mouth, power-forward style would compliment Lee’s and Ladd’s nicely.

His play may not be pretty, but his shooting percentage is back above 10% and he munches minutes. Still, I wouldn’t offer very much in this trade because of the risk.

The Trade

The Isles get a younger, proven goal scorer for not much of a hit to our cap. Bonus: Ladd and Kane played together already in Winnipeg for four years and in Atlanta before that.

Buffalo gets Josh Bailey, who is coming off a stronger year than Kane. He contributes steady play and comes already familiar with Kyle Okposo. The Sabres cut some salary.

They also get a middle round pick to sweeten the pot.