Islanders: Best four targets on the Athletics trade deadline big board

The Athletic published their trade deadline ‘Big Board’. Who on the list of 27 players should the New York Islanders be interested in, and why?

Leading up to the trade deadline, Craig Custance of The Athletic published the first big board of the NHL trade season (subscription required). Of the 27 players up on the big board, who should the New York Islanders be interested in and why?

We already know what the New York Islanders should be looking for.

The Islanders rank 26th in goals-for – across all situations – with 117 goals. Narrow that down to 5on5 and things are just as bleak with the Islanders again ranking as 26th in the league with 76 goals for.

Lou Lamoriello will ideally be looking for a player who can immediately step in and be a significant piece of the team’s offense.

He could also use a third-line center. Derick Brassard hasn’t been the player the Islanders need down the middle. Put him on the wing next to Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson and Brassard can be a good asset. But ask him to carry that third line and he disappears.

Getting a third-line center might not be as sexy as landing that top tier player, but it could have a profound impact on the rest of the line.

There’s also the fact that the trade market isn’t exactly flooded with top-tier talent. Taylor Hall was the only top-tier player available and he was scooped up by the Arizona Coyotes. Then again, his “top-tier” status was debatable

I picked four players on the Athletic’s board that the New York Islanders can be interested in, and to what degree.

Note: I’m going to say “According to The Athletic” a few times, know that I’m referencing the Big Board post.