Eyes On Isles
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Elliotte Friedman’s predictions for Islanders UFA and trade targets

ByMichel Anderson|
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New York Islanders scores at 16:07 of the second period against Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum on June 09, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New York Islanders scores at 16:07 of the second period against Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum on June 09, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 18: Alec Martinez #23 of the Vegas Golden Knights waits for a faceoff in the third period of a game against the Minnesota Wild in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Wild 3-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 18: Alec Martinez #23 of the Vegas Golden Knights waits for a faceoff in the third period of a game against the Minnesota Wild in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Wild 3-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Defense

Alec Martinez: Stays in Vegas

Just before noon on Monday, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli essentially corroborated Friedman’s prediction when he tweeted out that Martinez and Vegas are nearing an extension.

At $5 million it’s a good deal for the 34-year-old blueliner who was on a $4 million cap hit last season. Martinez was the clear favorite to replace Leddy but it was always going to be a tall task to convince him to leave Vegas or even the South-West where he’s spent his entire NHL career.

Ryan Suter: Dallas

One word. One destination is all Friedman wrote. We found out yesterday that Suter wants a longer-term deal. One that could reach four years. That’s just too long for the Isles to commit to a 36-year-old.

Suter is still a good player and still can be an effective top-four defender, but at the type of term he might command based on the number of teams interested in his services and for the length he wants, it’s a no-go for the Islanders.

With Suter and Martinez effectively off the market, the Islanders options shrink. No word on Mike Reilly though. The Boston Bruins defenseman is headed to the market it seems. He doesn’t have the same sample of being a top-four guy like Martinez or Suter, but he’s a good puck mover that could be even better than he’s shown so far.

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