Islanders: League wide trade rumors and potential Isles interest level

Here’s a look at three players rumored to be on the trade block and if they would interest the New York Islanders.

Even a shut border hasn’t stopped NHL teams from making trades and from players requesting some. I wanted to go over some of the rumors out there and attach an interest level for the New York Islanders as well as if there’s a possibility the Isles trade (context of where the Isles are + do they have the assets) for that player is.

Sam Bennett | Calgary Flames

He has and hasn’t asked for a trade. According to Elliotte Friedman, Bennett has asked for one, but according to the Flames, there has been no formal request made.

What isn’t being debated is that Bennett, won’t be a Calgary Flame for much longer.

Interest Level: 1/5

Since having an OK rookie year where Bennett scored 18 goals and 36 points, he’s essentially plateaued at a 26 point player for the Flames. Now, is that because he’s being used as a third-line wing, or is that just who he is?

Either way, the Islanders are stacked down the middle so on paper there’s no need for him. Now, if they could play him on the wing that might be another story. Although I very much doubt Bennett would want to be traded so he can play on the wing rather than down the middle.

Possibility of trade: 1/5

The Islanders have the assets to pull off the trade. But again, he’s a center and they don’t need a center. Even if they got Bennett to play the wing, he’d block the path for guys like Oliver Wahlstrom and Kieffer Bellows who are finally cutting their teeth in the league.

Johnny Gaudreau | Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames star Johnny Gaudreau is back amongst trade rumors. The soon-to-be free agent is said to be on the block as he nears free agency later in the year. It’s not likely that he re-signs with the Flames. They won’t want to lose him and get nothing in return.

I’ve gone on record before to state that Johnny Gaudreau is “all-in” worthy. And I still stand by that today.

He had a down-ish year in 19-20, recording 58 points in 70 games. A pace that had him set to hit 68 points which is a low he hasn’t seen since 2016-17. But consider that since Johnny Hockey entered the league in 2014-15 he’s amassed 453 points, ranking him ninth in scoring in the NHL.

Interest Level: 5/5

The left-shot winger is one of the top players in the NHL, if he’s available the Islanders have to try and nab him. He’s the exact type of player the Islanders need to add in order to push their team to the next level.

Lou Lamoriello has been trying to get someone of Gaudreau’s caliber for a while now. It’s why he went after Artemi Panarin hard in free agency with an $84 million offer. If Gaudreau is available he’ll try.

Possibility of trade: 1/5

The possibility the Isles pull off this trade is low for a few reasons. First, it seems that Gaudreau wants to be in Philly according to Sportsnet’s Eric Francis.

I think he is destined for Philadelphia. I think people have thought that from the day he signed here and he’ll ultimately be a Flyer.

If Lou is still interested he might want to try and bring him in before free agency but that’s a huge risk considering Gaudreau’s flight risk and that Calgary will be looking for futures, something the Isles don’t have to give for a rental.

So while the interest in Gaudreau is surely sky-high, the Islanders ability to bring him in is very low.