Islanders: Three best wingers available in free agency market

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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.

SUNRISE, FL – FEBRUARY 29: Mike Hoffman #68 of the Florida Panthers skates prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the BB&T Center on February 29, 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. The Blackhawks defeated the Panthers 3-2 in the shootout. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Mike Hoffman | Florida Panthers

Points per game: 0.86
2019-20 Stats: 29G, 30A, 59Pts

There isn’t a better sniper available on the free agency market then Mike Hoffman. The Florida Panthers and former Ottawa Senators winger has scored no fewer than 22 goals over the last six seasons in the NHL.

Since joining the Florida Panthers in 2018-19 he’s scored 65 goals over 151 games. That’s 0.43 goals per game since heading south from the Canadian capital (after a very brief stop in San Jose).

Bringing him in would immediately balance out the Islanders top-six that has been forced to find an alternative for that second line right-wing slot for two years now.

Gone would be the days of running Leo Komarov, Tom Kuhnhackl, Cal Clutterbuck, or even Ross Johnston in a top-six RW spot. With Jordan Eberle and Mike Hoffman, the Islanders would have two clear top-six RW options to roll out every night.

Sure, he’s a left shot, but he’s just as comfortable playing on the right side of the ice.

Possible Lineup:

That leaves a few names on the scratchpad for the Islanders to sort out. Players like Andrew Ladd, Leo Komarov, Ross Johnston, and Michael Dal Colle.

With that being said, if Hoffman is coming in, it’s not going to be for less than $7 million per year. That means the Isles are going to have to do some cap juggling to make this work. And some of those names might just be gone to make that happen.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 20: Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils poses with the Hart Trophy given to the most valuable player to his team in the press room at the 2018 NHL Awards presented by Hulu at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on June 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Taylor Hall | Arizona Coyotes

Points per game: 0.80
2019-20 Stats: 16G, 36A, 52Pts

With 52 points in 65 games, Taylor Hall isn’t having another Hart Trophy year. After carrying the Devils into the playoffs on his back, Taylor Hall has regressed back to what he normally is. A player who has a point per game potential, but generally falls just short.

Throughout his career, he’s scored 563 points in 627 games. That’s a 0.897 points-per-game pace.

That isn’t close to Hart Trophy numbers, but that’s certainly top-six if not top-line worthy pace stats.

This season, Hall is a little below that 0.897P/G average with a flat 0.80 P/G between the New Jersey Devils and the Arizona Coyotes. But even at 0.80 P/G, he’d be the second-highest scoring player on the Isles right now with Brock Nelson at 54 points.

The Islanders could seriously use that type of production on their team.

With that sub-standard 0.80 P/G Hall’s free agent fee is certainly going to be less. Where it was previously thought that Hall could command close to $10 million per season, you’d have to think that number has shifted south to around $8 million.

Again, he’s scoring at the same rate as Brock Nelson is and the Isles center is signed at a $6 million cap hit. There’s no way he hit $10 million on the open market. But at ~$8 million a year, that’s a cost the Islanders could live with. Assuming they can move enough around to make it work.

Possible Lineup:

Yes, Taylor Hall is left-wing. But bringing him in would balance out the Islanders top-six by putting Bailey next to Lee on the same line, as it should be.

Added bonus: Jordan Eberle would certainly relish playing with his old friend once again.

SUNRISE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 14: Evgenii Dadonov #63 of the Florida Panthers prepares for a face-off against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at BB&T Center on November 14, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Evgenii Dadonov | Florida Panthers

Points per game: 0.68
2019-20 Stats: 25G, 22A, 47Pts

It feels like it’s a significant drop off from the first two players. But that’s the nature of the free-agent market in 2020, there are few good options available. Florida’s Evgenii Dadonov a good third option.

I doubt Florida lets both Dadonov and Hoffman walk in free agency. One will likely be re-upped for the 2020-21 season. Based on the contract demands that both players could demand, Mike Hoffman might be allowed to walk. But if Dadonov is allowed to find a new home he could prove to be a cost-effective option.

The Russian forward has only been in the league for three years, but in that time he’s proven to be an effective top-six player.

He’s scored no fewer than 25 goals in each of those three NHL seasons. And that 25 goal season is this year which isn’t technically complete. Had the season finished Dadonov could have very well hit 30 goals for the first time in his NHL career.

Possible Lineup:

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Dadonov would be a good addition. He’s having a ‘down’ year, but he’s shown that he can be a 70 point player in the NHL. And maybe with that ‘down’ year perhaps he’s a bit cheaper in the open market of free agency.

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