Islanders: Future trade targets for GM Lou Lamoriello

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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 19: Travis Zajac #19 of the New Jersey Devils sits on the bench during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at the Prudential Center on January 19, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Ducks defeated the Devils 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Looking forward to the next trade deadline, who are guys that New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello could target in a year’s time?

New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello loves to bring in players he knows and likes. We saw that just recently at the 2020 NHL trade deadline when he brought in defenseman Andy Greene and was after Minnesota Wild’s Zach Parise.

And look, go back through Lou’s history as a GM and you’ll see the same pattern emerge. Lou likes to bring in guys he knows whether it be at the trade deadline or through free agency. If you’ve played for him and he likes you he’s likely to try and bring you back.

And there’s a pretty good reason for that. Lou Lamoriello isn’t like every other GM out there. Lou has built a career as a GM by adhering to a certain set of rules, principles, ideals, and philosophies. Not every player can thrive in that type of environment.

Not every player, specifically these days wants to be told they need to shave every day. Or wear a number lower than 30. Or that they can’t grow their hair long. Players want to be individuals and express that individually. While there’s room for that in a Lou-run team, it stops at hair and facial hair.

And your number.

So with that being said, who are some players Lou could look to bring in as a trade target next year.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 30: Travis Zajac #19 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during the second period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on November 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Travis Zajac | New Jersey Devils

It’s possible that Lou already tried to get Travis Zajac just this past season. According to Zajac’s agent, a team inquired about Zajac’s services at the end of January, but the veteran Devils player didn’t want to waive his no-trade clause to leave the only team he’s ever known.

But that was this year.

Next season will be Zajac’s last year before he can hit free agency. He turns 35-years-old this May so perhaps he’s not looking for another gig after this deal is done with the Devils. But if he’s still got the itch to keep playing he might just waive that no-trade to move.

The Devils won’t likely be much better in 2020-21 than they are now. The rebuild has just begun and the kids they’ve drafted are just beginning to turn into NHL’ers, it’s still going to take some time before they turn things around.

Getting something for Zajac at the deadline is better than the nothing they’ll get when his contract is up.

I understand that he probably wants to be a one-team player. Drafted by Lou with the 20th overall pick in 2004 he probably wants to retire as a Devil. I’m sure Andy Greene felt the same way, but getting a second and a prospect, even if it’s David Quenneville, a player that bounced between the AHL and ECHL, is a return that the Devils can’t ignore.

Lou might just double back the next deadline and see if Zajac still wants to stay. Assuming that was Lou who inquired in January, of course.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild plays against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Zach Parise | Minnesota Wild

Lou has been after Parise since the summer it seems. So with that in mind, it’s fair to think that Lou would still try to acquire him at the trade deadline next season. Unless he hasn’t already picked him up before then.

The Islanders don’t have anyone to fit the second line right-wing slot going forward. Derick Brassard currently sits in that position but as a pending UFA and with what he’s shown so far he’ll likely be gone by next season.

Looking at the Islanders prospect pool they don’t have a winger that can step into the Islanders top-six today or next season. Kieffer Bellows is the only Islanders prospect that is seemingly NHL ready.

With Bellows, Barry Trotz has shown a real resistance to playing the former first-round pick. Bellows is playing between eight and 12 minutes a night when up in the NHL.

Going into 2020-21, the Isles are still going to need support in the top six.

So it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Lou goes back after an old friend in Zach Parise next season. A player he drafted 17th overall in 2003 over guys like Ryan Getzlaf (19th), Brent Burns (20th), and Corey Perry (28th).

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Adam Henrique #14 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his goal to take a 3-2 lead over the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in a 4-3 overtime Ducks win at Honda Center on February 25, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Adam Henrique | Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have some rebuilding to do. They aren’t as far ahead as other teams, like the New Jersey Devils or even the Montreal Canadiens who have stockpiled 14 picks in the 2020 draft.

The Ducks could very well be in the selling business next season.

That could mean they look to convert aging players on big contracts into assets they can use going forward. Guys like Adam Henrique who sit with another four years at a $5.825 million cap hit.

The recently turned 30-year-old Adam Henrique was drafted by Lou Lamoriello in the third round of the 2008 draft. By the 2010-11 season, Lou brought him up to the NHL where he’s been a productive player ever since.

Remember is was the Ray Shero regime that traded Henrique to Anaheim for Sami Vatanen.

With Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Casey Cizikas already on the team, the Islanders don’t need another center. But then again we’ve seen veteran centers move to the wing later in their careers.

Eric Staal and Claude Giroux are two recent examples of players who were centers that were moved to the outside later on. Why not do the same for Henrique who has shown he can be an effective producer at the NHL level with two 50 point seasons in his career. With 39 points in 63 games, he’s on pace for a third 50 point season.

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If the Ducks are in need of picks and prospects, Lou Lamoriello might just call for his old friend Adam Henrique. Sure, Henrique has a ten-team no-trade list, but we’ve seen players waive that no-trade to play for Lou recently. What says Henrique doesn’t follow suit to play for Lou again on the Island?

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