New York Islanders Four Trade Targets Outside From Big Three
The New York Islanders are 35-17-6 and in first place in the Metropolitan division less than a week away from the trade deadline which is February 25th at 3 pm. Let’s look at some names that are not Panarin, Stone, or Duchene.
I think it’s fair to say that at the beginning of the year most people felt that the New York Islanders, would be sellers at the trade deadline. Fast-forward to today they’re tops in the metro and poised to go on a playoff run.
The most glaring need for this team is a winger who can contribute on the power play and fit in with the team concept that has lead to the success they’re having this year.
Here’s four options outside of the big three.
Gustav Nyquist | Detroit Red Wings
Detroit’s Gustav Nyquist is having a solid season for the Red Wings. He has 15 goals, 33 assists, for 48 points in 59 games this year. Nyquist also has eleven points on the power play with one goal and ten assists.
Nyquist isn’t a guy that is going to run over people and dictate the play, but he is a useful point producer in this league. He has put up at least 40 points for the past six seasons and is a plus two lifetime in the league.
I can’t imagine he would cost that much. However, he does have a no-trade clause so that would have to be lifted to come to the Islanders. So who knows if that is in his plans. Nyquist would also be a rental he is a UFA come July first.
Jakob Silfverberg | Anaheim Ducks
Silfverberg is a right-winger for the Ducks he has 15 goals and eight assists for 23 points in 50 games this year. He has six points on the power play this year with two goals and four assists. Known for his strong two-way game Silfverberg is a career plus 26 in 469 games.
His best season in the league was during the 2016-2017 season posting 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 79 games. Also, a UFA after the season, a deal for Silfverberg would not be constrained by a no-trade clause in his contract, so the Islanders would not have to worry about that.
Again, I can’t foresee the ask on Silfverberg being that high. Perhaps a fourth rounder and a middle of the road prospect would do it.
Alex Chiasson | Edmonton Oilers
This is my sleeper pick. Chiasson has quietly had a strong season on a bad Edmonton Oiler team. This year Chiasson has 17 goals and ten assists for 27 points in 49 games. Chiasson has been excellent on the power play as well with six goals and five assists.
He also was on the Washington Capitals team that won the cup last year, so Barry Trotz has a familiarity with Chiasson. Also a UFA after the season Chiasson would be a pure rental brought in to provide a spark for the offense.
Chiasson would not cost anything near a first rounder, so again this is another potentially cheap rental that the Islanders can grab if they see fit.
Alec Martinez | Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings blue-liner would be an excellent fit on the right side along with Thomas Hickey when he returns to the line-up. Martinez is a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Kings and would provide steady defensive play along with a wealth of playoff experience.
This year Martinez has four goals and eleven assists for 15 points. He is also a plus four and averages 21 minutes a night in ice-time.
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Martinez is signed through 2021-2022 so his ask would be higher than those of the other targets listed. Would a middle pick, a prospect, and perhaps Adam Pelech get it done? Seems reasonable to me Martinez does not have a no-trade clause so that wouldn’t be an issue