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New York Islanders Goaltending Options In 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Goalie Robin Lehner #40 of the Buffalo Sabres looks after giving up a goal in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on February 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Goalie Robin Lehner #40 of the Buffalo Sabres looks after giving up a goal in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on February 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 06: Charlie Lindgren #39 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 6, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 06: Charlie Lindgren #39 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 6, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Trade Targets

By the end of the 2019 season the Islanders might know what they have in their system, they also might not like what they see.

Robin Lehner might play as badly as he did in Buffalo last season and not merit an extension. Linus Soderstrom might take a stumble in his first full season of North American hockey. And Ilya Sorokin might stay in Russia, again.

If they can’t land a top-level free agent, or they don’t have a starter already in the system, they could try to trade for either of these proven backup goalies to be their next starter.

Charlie Lindgren: How long will he have to sit in Carey Price’s shadow. Lindgren just signed a three year deal with the Habs, but Price’s eight-year monster deal kicks in this season. The undrafted Lindgren looks to be a good NHL goalie, but with Price above him, there’s no way he’ll get playing time.

The Islanders could have Lindgren for a reasonable price, say a good prospect and a late round pick. Again, he’s locked in for three years. And with a $750,00 cap hit. It’s a deal with a ton of upside.

Darcy Kuemper: Antti Raanta is taking most of the playing time in Arizona. Darcy Kuemper, fresh off a two-year deal, like every goalie is looking to be a starter. The Islanders could give him that shot if he can replicate his numbers from his time with the Kings.

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Next: Grades for Isles RFA Deals

In 19 games with LA in 2017-18, he had a 2.10 GAA and a .932 SV%. In Arizona, those numbers dropped, but that just shows you the gulf in quality between the two teams. With a good, not great, Isles team Kuemper could be a solid NHL starter in the league.

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