Islanders: Three Ottawa Senators targets to pursue at trade deadline

4 of 4

SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 3: Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators looks for a teammate to pass the puck to as he circles behind the Florida Panthers net with the puck at the BB&T Center on March 3, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. The Senators defeated the Panthers 3-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Stats: 52GP, 20G, 13A, 33Pts

Why target him?

The question should be why not target him?

Jean-Gabriel Pageau is absolutely perfect for the New York Islanders. The 27-year-old center plays a full 200-foot gamer at 5on5. He’s one of the better penalty killers in the league. He’s good on the draw (52.1 faceoff-win percentage over his career). And he’s having a career year on the stats sheet.

With 20 goals he’s already had a career-year in the goals department. His previous high was 19. He still has 28 games to play.

He checks all the boxes for the Islanders. Which means he checks all the boxes for a number of teams.

The possibility he’s traded: 2/5

You’d think that with what Pageau brings to the table and the potential return I’d have his trade possibility higher than two. But there are a few factors that I think will see him stay in Ottawa.

The first is the fact that they’ll need a few vets to stick around and make sure the rebuild gets off on the right foot. Pageau is a great player for that role. He’s from the area, he likes the team, and he’s a great pro. Ottawa will certainly want to keep that around.

The second factor is the cost. How much will it take to land Pageau? A first-round pick and a prospect? That seems like a lot for a player who will be a UFA at the end of the season.

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

Write for us!

I think the price for Pageau who is having a career year is going to be too high for most teams including Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders. I’m sure he stays with the Senators to see through this rebuild.