New York Islanders: An In-Depth Look At Renting Out Pending UFAs

Jordan Eberle

Using the 2018 Evander Kane trade that features forwards with extremely similar goal and point totals (Kane, 617 games, 200 goals, 383 points, .62 points per game, 26 years old at time of trade vs Eberle, 624 games, 198 goals, 459 points, .74 points per game, 28 years old), this would be a hard deal to pass up for Lou Lamoriello.

Kane fetched a top-level AHL prospect, a second round pick (was a conditional first only if Kane signed long-term, and we’re talking about players being rentals and returning to the Isles) and a fourth round pick.

While Eberle’s numbers are better, Kane was younger and was having a much better season last year than Ebs is this year, so we can expect a lesser haul.

But do you do it?

So much depends on where the Islanders sit at the trade deadline and how MDC and Ho-Sang look in expanded roles, but it does feel like a deal Lou Lamoriello would make if given the option, especially if that prospect could be a center.

If we were looking at the same scenario last year with Eberle flying high next to Mat Barzal and giving him the bonafide winger he needed, I can’t say it would be worth it, but on a down year playing with two other pending UFAs this one feels likely.