Islanders: League wide trade rumors and potential Isles interest level

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MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 13: Victor Mete #53 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the first period against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on January 13, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Victor Mete | Montreal Canadiens

According to Eric Engles, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete is looking for a change of scenery. The 2016 fourth-round pick played 51 games last year for Montreal but is finding it difficult to get into the Habs lineup this season. So he wants out.

Interest Level: 1/5

He’s a left-shot defenseman who has 171 games of NHL experience and was having a career year in 19-20 with four goals and 13 points. He’s a good transition player with offensive upside and carries a $735,000 cap hit. He’s small for the NHL, standing 5’9″ but he’s got skill and can hold his own in the league as a bottom pair guy.

The Islanders interest level has to be low for Mete. It’s not that Mete wouldn’t fit with the Isles, it’s just that they already have someone who is essentially a stylistic carbon-copy of Victor Mete; Sebastian Aho.

Aho is still under contract next year and will certainly be at the NHL level with the Islanders. There is no need to chase Mete.

Possibility of trade: 2/5

Unless Aho is traded to clear up cap space that is.

The Isles have a number of contracts they need to get off the books. Adding kickers like those second-round picks from Colorado or prospects such as Sebastian Aho could be the incentives other teams need to take on one of the Islanders bad contracts.

If Aho is moved, Mete could be an enticing target for Lou Lamoriello to chase in the offseason.

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