Islanders: Sweeteners That Could Be Moved In A Trade

The Isles need to trade at least Boychuk to complete the offseason moves they need to make move. They will have to move some future sweeteners to do that.

Ever since the New York Islanders traded Devon Toews to Colorado, hockey insiders and fans have been waiting for the other Isles shoe to drop. There are a number of options in terms of sweeteners that could be moved in order for the Isles to get their salary cap where they want.

There is no question in a perfect world New York Islanders President – GM Lou Lamoriello would like to move Johnny Boychuk and Leo Komarov to free up cap space. By all accounts, he will have to include future sweeteners to get a deal done.

The Isles have to sign their restricted free agents (Matthew Barzal and Ryan Pulock) as well as add to their roster (resign Matt Martin and Any Greene).

Draft Picks

With Boychuk’s six million cap number and Komarov’s three million cap hit for the next two seasons, the Isles will have to include a substantial sweetener (or two) to get a trade completed. Teams that are rebuilding and that have cap space could be very interested in this kind of deal to help accelerate their rebuild-retool.

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Clubs that fit this description are Detroit, Ottawa, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

The Islanders might have to move a first-round pick for someone to take Boychuk. Lamoriello could make that pick lottery protected for 2021.

Another option with picks is Lou could move the two second-rounders he received from Colorado for Toews to free up cap space as well.

Roster & Prospect Cupboard

In terms of the Isles current active roster, the only candidate that makes sense is Michael Dal Colle. The former fifth overall selection in 2014 is only 24 and is signed for the 2020-21 season at just $700,000. A team could see Dal Colle as a good young winger for their third line.

In terms of down on the farm a player that jumps out is Otto Koivula. The 22-year-old power forward has been progressing these last two years in the AHL. The Isles moved him to center when Lamoriello and Barry Trotz came to Long Island. The recent acquisition of J.G Pageau though it could make Koivula expendable.

Another possibility one that Lamoriello probably wouldn’t be thrilled about is Kieffer Bellows. His development since being a first-round pick in 2016 has been up and down but again he is only 22. However, he gave the Islanders a positive glimpse last season in his eight games with the blue and orange.

Finally, the Isles could include one of their big defensive prospects in Bode Wilde (six-foot-three, 190 pounds) or Samuel Bolduc (six-foot-four, 211 pounds). The Isles are deep on defense throughout the organization and teams are always looking for blue line help.

Lamoriello has to move some futures in order to move a veteran or two so the Isles have the cap space they need to complete their offseason.