Islanders: Top 3 trade targets for 2020-21 offseason

Patrik Laine | Winnipeg Jets

2019-20 Stats: 28G, 35A, 63pts

Why go after Laine?

In his first two years in the league, Laine put up 80 goals. Laine was drafted because of his incredible shot and his ability to uncork that great shot from just about anywhere on the ice. And in those first two years, he showed that.

Laine had a down year in his third season, but he’s picked it up again this year putting up 28 goals and 35 helpers for a pace of 73 points. That would have been a career year for the second overall pick in 2016 if not for the season being cut short.

Laine is exactly what the Islanders need.

The big 6’5″ 206lbs winger will return 30+ goals in a season. He’s also great on the power play hitting 52 power play goals since he entered the league. Only Alex Ovechkin and David Pastrnak have more goals on the man-advantage.

Again, he’s exactly what the New York Islanders need.

Oh and Laine shoots right. Yet another reason he fits exactly with what that Isles are looking for.

Why it won’t work?

It’s going to take a lot to get him.

The Islanders would have to give up a top-four defenseman, a good prospect like Kieffer Bellows, and more. How much more is going to depend on who that top four defender is.

Laine also has one year left on a $6.75 million deal. To bring him in the Isles are going to need to clear enough space for that deal. But then what happens next year? If Laine hits the heights we know he can he’s easily a $9 million player after Jeff Skinner’s deal with Buffalo last season.

With Sorokin, Anthony Beauvillier, and Adam Pelech to re-sign next year adding another $9 million to the cap complicates things once again.

Although, if the Isles are two games away from the Stanley Cup finals without a Laine-esque player maybe Lou ignores that issue until he has to deal with it next offseason.