Islanders 2020 trade deadline grade: Good effort on a busy day

The 2020 trade deadline was quite the opposite than was expected from the New York Islanders. This year was best described as “crazy town” for the Islanders.

We were all expecting a quiet trade deadline for the New York Islanders. We thought after the Andy Greene trade, today’s deadline activity would have been quite as usual from Lou Lamoriello’s office.

But the Islanders were far from quiet. They picked up Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators and signed him to a six-year deal and then they were close to trading for Minnesota Wild’s Zach Parise.

It was a busy day with action from the start all the way to the end. So how did the Islanders do at the trade deadline? Did they make efficient use of the deadline? Is there anyone traded today that the Islanders could have used?

Grades

Pageau Trade

The Islanders gave up three pieces to get Pageau from the Senators, a first in 2020 that is lottery-protected, a 2020 second, and third in 2022 (if the Isles win the Cup). That’s a lot even for a good third-line center. But that’s what it takes to make a deal at the deadline.

Prices are inflated because it’s the last chance to make a move until the playoffs are done. The Islanders paid the price to do business and add a player that fits their style and what they need in their lineup.

They also didn’t have to give up any known quantities to make the deal. So that’s a bonus.

Grade: A-

Pageau Contract

Hours after the deal the Isles signed Pageau to a six-year deal worth $30 million ($5 million AAV). That’s a lot of money. But consider that Charlie Coyle signed a six-year $31.5 million deal just this past November. A ~$5 million AAV seems to be the going rate for good third-line centers.

Ideally, I would have liked to have seen the deal hit south of $5 million, and maybe not so heavy on the trade protection. But that’s Lou.

Grade: B

Efficient Use of Deadline

Brining in Pageau was a huge get for the Islanders. They also tried to bring in veteran player and former Lou-ite Zach Parise to sit in the top six while simultaneously shipping out Andrew Ladd and his albatross contract.

It seemed like they were close to a deal but just ran out of time. Although the Islanders and Wild have been kicking the tires on this deal since the summer it seems so maybe we see this again in the summer.

Not getting a top-six player was tough. But it seemed Lou was trying if he could have dumped Ladd at the same time this could have easily been an “A”.

Grade: C+

Missed Opportunities

The Islanders ultimately didn’t get what they truly need; a goal scorer. Pageau has 24 goals on he season, but there’s no way he plays an average of 19+ minutes a night on the Islanders third line. His production will decrease.

There are three players that could have fit on the right-side of the Isles top six that were traded around the deadline: Vincent Trocheck, Tyler Toffoli, and Jason Zucker.

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The most affordable was Zucker who went for Alex Galchenyuk, a top defensive prospect, and a conditional first-round pick. A package the Islanders could have matched, but then they wouldn’t have had a first to give for Pageau.

Grade: C+ 

Overall: B-

The Islanders did well to add Pageau and get him under contract. And they were active as they tried to clear out some dead weight in the roster. But they didn’t add that goal threat they ultimately needed.