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New York Islanders Three UFA Options If Free Agent Anders Lee Leaves

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 29: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-0.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 29: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-0.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders Trade Targets Outside From The Big Three.
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 23: Gustav Nyquist #14 of the Detroit Red Wings warms up prior to action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Gustav Nyquist (RW) | Detroit Red Wings/San Jose Sharks

Production: 22G, 38A, 60pts
Cap Hit: $4.75 million

Just like Wayne Simmonds, Gustav Nyquist represents yet another bargain bin option for Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders. The former Detroit Red Wing and San Jose Shark forward is coming off a career-high 60 point season. His previous career high was 54 points back in 2014-15. It was a great time to have a career year.

Typically, the 29-year-old forward who can play on either wing is a consistent 40 point player in the NHL. That could be a good addition to the Islanders who are looking for consistent production.

If Gustav Nyquist hits the open market, and there’s no reason to think he won’t at this point, he won’t command more than $5.5 million per year. Sure, he isn’t the same class of player that Artemi Panarin is, but he fills a need that the Islanders need in their top six.

If they sign him, the Islanders know what they’ll get from Gustav Nyquist.

With the money the Islanders save in getting Nyquist and Lee leaving, they could still add an Artemi Panarin type player to the mix.

They could get their cake and eat it too.

The issues in bringing in Nyquist is his age and what the term of his deal might be. The Islanders already have Johnny Boychuk, Andrew Ladd, and Josh Bailey signed to big contracts that aren’t scheduled to expire until well into their 30’s.

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Ideally, Anders Lee stays with the New York Islanders. But if he can’t accept anything less than a seven-year deal from the team, the Islanders should look at other options in the free agent market.

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