Islanders trade rumors and interest level: Granlund, Ekholm, Gaudette

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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 30: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 30, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Predators defeated the Devils 6-5 in the shoot-out. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders might not need anything from the trade market, but perhaps the Isles can find an upgrade out there.

With an eight-game point streak and three wins in a row, things are going very well for the New York Islanders right now. Their goalies are playing very well, the team hasn’t allowed many goals or shots against, and goals are coming throughout the forward lineup.

The Isles don’t seem to need anything from the trade market. But it doesn’t hurt to look around at what’s available and if an upgrade can be made.

Mikael Grandlund | Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are considering making changes as they see their chances of getting to the playoffs dwindling. Only the Detroit Red Wings are worse than the Preds in the Discover Central Division.

A player on the block is rumored to be forward Mikael Granlund.

Interest level: 4/5

Granlund has 60-70 point potential in him. Between 16-17 and 18-19, the 2010 ninth overall pick put up 190 points over 238 games played. He hasn’t been the same player since he joined Nashville which is why he’s on the trade block now.

The left-shot forward could be an upgrade to a few of the Islanders middle six options. Namely Michael Dal Colle and Leo Komarov.

Granlund scores points (and goals), plays on the power play, and can also play on the penalty kill. Again, he’d be a great upgrade on some of the options currently in the lineup.

Possibility of a trade: 2/5

Granlund is on pace for a 48 point season (over 82 games) with Nashville. That combined with his former 60+ point seasons could push his price prohibitively high.

Also, the fact that the Isles are using LTIR space to stay cap compliant right now means they aren’t banking daily cap space they can use to bring in Granlund and his $3.75 million cap hit at the trade deadline without having to shed money.

The likelihood of this deal remains low.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 16: Mattias Ekholm #14 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal at 15:23 of the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Mattias Ekholm | Nashville Predators

According to Pierre LeBrun, the Preds will listen to offers for top-four defenseman Mattias Ekholm. LeBrun indicates that they’re hoping for a “Jake Muzzin type return”.

To get Muzzin from the Kings, the Leafs gave up a 2019 1st, Carl Grundstrom, and Sean Durzi. That’s a heavy price for Ekholm who will turn 31 later this year.

To put that in Islanders terms today, that would be their 2021 1st, a 2021 second-round pick, and one of Salo, Bolduc, or Wilde.

Interest level: 0/5

There’s no question that Ekholm is a top defender. The 30-year-old Swede finished tenth in Norris voting a few years ago after a 44 point season with Nashville. He’s clearly no longer the defenseman that Barry Trotz called “horrible, just horrible”, but he’s not what the Islanders need at the moment.

The Islanders defense is one of the best in the league. What they need is more offense.

Possibility of a trade: 0/5

That’s why the possibility of this trade is a flat zero.

If the New York Islanders are going to trade away one of their prized defensive prospects (Salo, Bolduc, Wilde) you’d expect it to be for some help up front and not for a veteran defenseman.

TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 4: Adam Gaudette #96 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 4, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 7-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Adam Gaudette | Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are another team looking to shake things up a bit. I already talked about how Jake Virtanen is on the block, but it seems that Adam Gaudette is also available via trade.

Gaudette is a tenacious bottom-six forward who had a successful career at the collegiate level with Northeastern where he put up 142 points in 116 games. But since going pro at the end of 2017-18 it hasn’t exactly gone as well.

His 19-20 season was a breakout year for him where he scored 33 points in 59 games (a pace of 46 over 82 games). This year, in 15 games Gaudette has two goals.

Interest level: 1/5

The Islanders could get him for very little and could fit in the bottom six. But it’s a risky move. Who knows what type of player Gaudette actually is. Maybe the Isles get that 40+ point player or they get the guy who gives them very little.

With the way the Islanders are playing and where they are in the standings over the past few years they don’t need to take risks. They need finished products.

Possibility of a trade: 0/5

There’s no way the Islanders make this trade. Again, they need finished products and not players who may give them some good value. Perhaps if they can get him for nothing they could add him to their AHL roster which is in need of quality.

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