Islanders: Three Non-rental Trade Options

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders should be looking to add a top-six forward at the February 24th trade deadline. However, they should be skeptical about rentals and aim for players with at least a year left of control.

It’s no question that the New York Islanders are one of the best defensive teams in the league, being fourth in the league in goals-against (143).

But when it comes to scoring, the team struggles. They are within the bottom half of the league in goals for (22nd), only putting 156 pucks in the back of the net.

We all thought that the New York Islanders hall-of-fame general manager, Lou Lamoriello, would go out an acquire a top-six forward at last year’s deadline to counteract this same issue last year. Spoiler alert: He didn’t. Lamoriello literally did nothing at last year’s deadline.

Then we thought Lou would use this past draft’s first-round pick to make a trade for a top-six forward. Once again we thought wrong.

It seems as though Lamoriello is being very conservative when it comes to trades. He doesn’t really believe in the player rental strategy, and I tend to agree with him.

I don’t like the idea of trading for a player that costs so much in draft capital and prospect capital that could potentially leave the team for a rival after just 30 games.

With this as my mindset. here are three potential non-rental trade options for the New York Islanders come February 24th.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 26: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck past Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes during the second period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on March 26, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Brandon Saad, LW & RW, Chicago Blackhawks:

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently only four points behind the team holding the second wildcard spot in the NHL’s Western Conference with one game in hand.

Depending on what happens in the next two weeks leading up to the deadline, Chicago could either be buyers or sellers. Either way, I think the Islanders could make a move for winger Brandon Saad.

Saad, 27, has been a consistent goal scorer in the NHL, hovering around the 20-goal mark every season since his second full season. His career-high for goals is 31 and has posted at least 50 points in a season three times in his nine-year career.

So far this year. Saad has played in 43 games and has scored 16 goals and 25 points.

Saad doesn’t have any powerplay points this season, but he has had two seasons where he’s scored at least five powerplay goals. So if the Islanders trade for him, he can be placed on the powerplay if needed.

He’s also very good defensively, having more takeaways than giveaways every season but one. Having two shorthanded goals this season, Saad would be a great addition to the New York Islanders penalty kill.

I know that the Blackhawks are currently in a playoff push, but they may be looking to unload Saad and his $6 million cap hit this season as he has a modified no-trade clause next year.

With Chicago having to re-sign expiring players like young winger, Alex DeBrincat, and former Islanders goalie, Robin Lehner, they will have to clear some cap space. Moving Saad this deadline will be much easier because he doesn’t have the modified no-trade clause yet.

Because of the year of control left on Saad’s contract, the Blackhawks will want more than they would if he was a rental. This will probably include a first-round pick and a couple of NHL-ready prospects, like defenseman Sebastian Aho.

MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 13: Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the warm-up against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on January 13, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Tomáš Tatar, LW & RW, Montreal Canadiens

Currently sitting six points behind the Carolina Hurricanes who hold the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens don’t seem likely to make the playoffs this year. It doesn’t help their case that every team they need to jump has at least two games in hand.

Because of this, the Habs will most likely be sellers this deadline and one name that comes to mind is Tomáš Tatar.

Tatar, 29, has constantly been scoring between 20 and 30 goals during his nine-year NHL career. Through 57 games this season, Tatar has scored 20 goals and 51 points and has an even +/-.

Not only would Tatar help the Islanders 5-on-5 play, but he would also help their powerplay, as he’s scored seven powerplay goals this season.

Tatar comes with a $4.8 million cap hit for the rest of this year and next year. His cap hit would be $5.3 million, but the Vegas Golden Knights retained $500,000 of his cap hit when they traded him to Montreal in the 2018 off-season.

Having to re-sign players such as Max Domi, the Habs may be willing to part ways with Tatar. Due to the year and a half left on his deal, the price for him will probably be higher. This trade would probably include the Islanders’ first-round pick, a second-round pick, and defenseman prospect such as Bode Wilde as the Habs are in the bottom half of the league in goals against.

MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 08: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs challenges Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on February 8, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Brendan Gallagher, RW, Montreal Canadiens

Another option from the Habs, Brendan Gallagher isn’t as versatile as Tatar as he only plays right-wing, but he’s cheaper with just a $3.75 million cap hit and younger at 27 years old.

When Gallagher has a healthy season, he’s usually scoring 20 to 30 goals. In the last two seasons, he’s played all 82 games and scored more than 30 goals.

As of right now, Gallagher has played in 47 games this season, scored 18 goals and 36 points, and has a +/- of +7 on a team that’s in the bottom half of the league in goals against.

Out of the three men I named in this piece, I believe that Gallagher is the best fit for the New York Islanders, as the Islanders are thin at natural right-wingers and at forwards with right-handed shots. He’s the only right-handed shot and the lone one that only plays right wing on this shortlist.

Not only is he the only right-handed shot on this list, but he’s also the best defensively, having more takeaways than turnovers like Saad, but a better +/- than Saad. Gallagher could also be used on the powerplay. The Habs don’t seem to use him on their powerplay, but he has one powerplay goal this season, so he can be used.

If the Islanders were to make a move for Gallagher, he would have the highest price out of these three players because he’s the youngest and cheapest option.

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The trade would most likely include several Islanders draft picks, including their first, a second, and possibly a third-rounder. The package probably wouldn’t be finished there as the Habs would most likely ask for a prospect or two.

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