Islanders: Did Lou Lamoriello Try To Trade For Travis Zajac?

Apparently a team has reached out to the Devils about Travis Zajac, Elliotte Friedman seems to think that the team was the New York Islanders.

It’s no secret, Lou Lamoriello needs to address the forward group of this team. Yes, they scored four goals on 18 shots last night but over the past two months, this has been an underwhelming effort from the New York Islanders forwards.

They could use a top-six option and some help on that third line. Ideally, the third line help comes when you bump a current Islander top-sixer onto that third lin.

According to Elliotte Friedman, Lou Lamoriello may have kicked the tires on a former player of his. That player is Travis Zajac.

Kurt Overhardt, who is Zajac’s agent wouldn’t disclose the team that contacted the Devils with an offer but we all know it’s Lou Lamoriello, the guy that drafted him in 2004.

Zajac has the remainder of this year and next year at a $5.75 million cap number. Apparently, at this time, Zajac hasn’t been willing to waive his No-Trade Clause as he wants to remain with the Devils.

Through 48 games this year, Travis Zajac has 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists). He had 19 goals last year which was his highest total since the 2009-2010 season. Putting it lightly, Travis Zajac is a washed 34-year-old center.

He’s on pace for 32 points this year and has seen better days. This is essentially what you have in Leo Komarov and Derrick Brassard. There’s no reason to give up assets for an old third-line center on an awful cap hit.

Zajac is really good on the faceoff, he’s been over 50 percent for his entire career but this isn’t the kind of upgrade you’re looking for. It has to be a bigger splash than Zajac, who’s a nice player but way past his prime.

Islanders fans would have every reason to get upset if Lamoriello, who hasn’t made a trade in 568 days breaks that streak by adding a player that he drafted when Mat Barzal was in the second grade.

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

Lamoriello has to do his due diligence, he’s just barking up the wrong tree. Try calling a team that you haven’t worked for in the past, like L.A. and get Tyler Toffoli in here.