New York Islanders Pros and Cons of Trading for Wayne Simmonds

With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, the New York Islanders may become active on the trade market. The Isles have been linked to big names like Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, and Artemi Panarin. However, they should look at Wayne Simmonds.

The New York Islanders should inquire about obtaining Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds via trade. The Islanders are in the midst of a playoff run and they should look into acquiring a rental player that can give them something they’ve been lacking this season.

With a year left on his contract Simmonds would be a rental. Some fans are wary about forking up assets for a player that will be gone by July. But to me, it only makes sense for the Islanders to look for rentals as they make their push.

And they don’t have to look much further than Wayne Simmonds.

What He Could Bring

It has been no question that the Islanders have had a woeful power play this season. With a 16.2 percent efficiency on the power play, they rank 24th in the league, yikes.

It’s obvious that if the Islanders had a better power play, they could have won a few more games this season. The game against the Rangers on January 12 where the Isles lost 2-1 and went 0-for-6 on the power play springs to mind.

Simmonds is having a down year by his standards with 27 points through 60 games. However, Simmonds has shown he can still produce with his 16 goals this season.

Simmonds has scored five goals on the power play this season and has double-digit returns in power-play goals over the previous five seasons. Simmonds talents can improve the struggling power play the Islanders currently have.

Why they shouldn’t

As I stated before, the Islanders are linked to big names. Players like Duchene, Stone, or Panarin would definitely bolster the Islanders roster. If either of those three are a real option, the Isles should undoubtedly be looking towards those players.

With Simmonds on a down year, it seems as it may be too big of a risk to give up assets for him as a rental. The Flyers would likely want a high draft pick, possibly a first rounder, and a young prospect. Those are high prices to pay for player who would be a free agent come July 1st.

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Conclusion

The Islanders should definitely look into Simmonds even if they aren’t all in. If the price is right, say if the Islanders only had to give a third round pick they could jump on a deal for Simmonds. Right now the Islanders should stay on track for the big names.