New York Islanders Mark Stone Matt Duchene Trade Possibility Update

All signs point to the New York Islanders being big players at the trade deadline. And with the Ottawa Senators benching both Duchene and Stone, the prospects of a trade increases exponentially.

The New York Islanders are looking to add at the NHL trade deadline. Of course, Lou Lamoriello won’t ever admit to that, but the Islanders have the desire, the ability and the space to bring in a big name player. In the NHL that usually spells a trade.

All eyes are on three players as the trade deadline looms; Columbus Blue Jackets Artemi Panarin and the Ottawa Senators Matt Duchene and Mark Stone.

Any would fit what the Islanders are looking for, but with the possibility of Panarin being part of a package deal with teammate Sergei Bobrovsky, and his desire to hit free agency the focus is squarely on the two from Ottawa. And the Senators have made both healthy scratches.

Scratch Leads to Trade

Before taking on the New Jersey Devils on the road, the Ottawa Senators have scratched Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, and Ryan Dzingle. All three were scratched for precautionary measures (ie: trying to preserve their trade value by not getting them injured).

We knew Matt Duchene was going to hit the trade market, but we still weren’t sure if Mark Stone would. Just a few days ago, the Senators were rumoured to have offered Mark Stone a contract extension.

According to Elliotte Freidman (3:15 minutes in) that deal was five years with a $10.5 million AAV. Clearly Mark Stone did not sign that extension, or else he wouldn’t be on the Senators scratch pad tonight.

Now that both are available, the Islanders can take their pick. We already know they’ve made a pitch for Matt Duchene. But if Mark Stone is available, he’s the player the Islanders need to target.

He’s not a centerman, but he plays on the right, an area the Islanders are in short supply now and in the future. He’s strong on and off the puck and makes few mistakes. Name me a better “Barry Trotz” player than Mark Stone.

Who knows why Mark Stone didn’t sign on with Ottawa with a (rumoured) $10 million AAV contract extension? Maybe he wanted that extra three years?

If the New York Islanders acquire Stone before 3 pm on the 25th, they could offer him that eight-year he might be seeking. You have to think that Lou Lamoriello would go through route, simply to try and keep the AAV down.

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I like Duchene as a player, but I prefer Mark Stone, not only as a player but as a fit for the Islanders. Now that he’s clearly available, Lou Lamoriello and Lou need to push hard for him.