Eyes On Isles
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Islanders trade rumors and interest level: Granlund, Ekholm, Gaudette

By Michel Anderson

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators knocks down the puck against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators knocks down the puck against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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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)
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.

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