Eyes On Isles
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Islanders: Three best wingers available in free agency market

By Michel Anderson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Evgenii Dadonov #63 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his goal at 10:35 of the third period against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on October 24, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Evgenii Dadonov #63 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his goal at 10:35 of the third period against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on October 24, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders watches from the bench during the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Islanders defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Looking to add more talent at the top end of the roster the New York Islanders might use the free agency market to find that talent. Who’s available?

It’s been an ongoing issue for two years now. The New York Islanders need help up top. While the 2019-20 season isn’t technically over yet, the Islanders have ranked in the bottom half for offense twice over the last two seasons.

In 2018-19, the Isles scored 223 goals to rank 22nd in the league for offense. Through 68 games in 2019-20, the Isles have scored 189 goals for, ranking them 24th in the NHL. Assuming they keep the same pace through an 82 game season they’d score 227 goals. A slight, but negligible increase in goal scoring.

They need help scoring goals and they need that help today.

Kieffer Bellows might be able to step into the lineup next season, but rookies don’t typically get a free run under Barry Trotz. He likes to limit their mistakes by limiting their ice time. In the eight games that Bellow played this season, he exceeded 12 minutes of ice time on two occasions.

The Islanders need help in their top-six right now. A pretty basic look at where the Islanders goals have come over the last two seasons paints a clear picture as to where they need help. It’s on the wing, and specifically on the right-side

To get that immediate help on the right side the Islanders might turn to free agency to pluck an NHL veteran who can contribute today and for the next few years. Here are three players the Islanders should consider.

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