New York Islanders Podcast: Free Agent Ins And Outs

The New York Islanders have been very active in the NHL free agency window. They’ve lost some quality and brought in question marks and reclamation projects.

The loss of John Tavares to the New York Islanders continues to be felt by the organization. By choosing the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Islanders are now left with an extra gap in the roster.

Going into the offseason the Islanders needed a starting goalie and a top-four defenseman. Now add a second line center to that list of needs. So far they’ve added Leo Komarov, Valtteri Filppula, Matt Martin and Robin Lehner.

Lehner can and will be the New York Islanders starting goalie in 2018-19. With a 2.68GAA and .920 in 53 games played two seasons ago, Lehner can be exactly what the Islanders neede in the blue paint. And at a $1.5 million cap hit it’s worth the risk.

It’s the other names mentioned that are somewhat of a problem. Neither of them address a need the Islanders had going into the season. And with a no-move and a modified no-trade clause for Filppula and Komarov it’s not like the Isles are stockpiling fourth liners to deal them later.

We still have faith in the New York Islanders management, but these moves are confusing. The Islanders bottom six didn’t need work. And now with Tavares, their top six is in dire need of addition.

What Else Do We Talk About?

How about what the Islanders still need? Like a second-line center and a top-four defender?

• Erik Karlsson remains available via trade, but it seems that the Dallas Stars remain the favorites to land the Ottawa Senators captain. So what can the Islanders offer the league’s best defender? And what could they offer the Senators in a trade?
• Tavares wasn’t the only Islanders player to leave in free agency. Chris Wagner and Jaroslav Halak have left the Islanders. And as we recorded the podcast, Calvin de Haan signs with a divisional rival. Matt and Mitch react to the news live.

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

Next: Ranking Every Isles Coach

Thank you for continuing to listen to our show. We’d love for you to rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts, it helps us reach a greater audience.