New York Islanders: Three Budget-Friendly Trade Ideas At Each Position

Thomas Vanek

Thomas Vanek is currently playing out the final year of his contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Although his 2017-18 performance thus far may not be on par with the numbers Vanek has put up throughout his career, he is still a weapon (12 G, 17 A, -14).

Sticking Vanek on the third line alongside Brock Nelson could work out well. Nelson seems to be a bit overwhelmed being the main focal point of that group. Thomas Vanek could alleviate some of that pressure and allow Nelson to flourish, as he has in the past.

Here’s what a possible swap for Vanek could look like:

Blake Comeau

Another option who, just like Vanek, could fit into the Islanders underperforming third line quite well is another former Islander, Blake Comeau of the Colorado Avalanche. Comeau is also set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, like Vanek.

Comeau has put up respectable numbers so far this year playing with the Avalanche’s third line with Carl Soderberg and Matthew Nieto (7 G, 19 A, 0+/-). He is making $2.4 million this year. That’s just a touch over the $2 million Thomas Vanek is making but worth it for a solid bottom six forward, in my opinion.

Elias Lindholm

Our last target in the forwards category teeters on the line of “budget-friendly”. Elias Lindholm of the Carolina Panthers will make $2.9 million this season. In 41 games played, mostly on the Hurricanes’ second line, Lindholm has 11 goals, 12 assists, and sports a +1 rating.

Though the price for Lindholm may be a bit steeper than the above two candidates, he would also fit into the New York Islanders’ third line and assumedly provide a kick in the rear-end to their production levels.