Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Elliotte Friedman’s predictions for Islanders UFA and trade targets

By Michel 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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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 24: Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New York Islanders looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 24, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Forwards

Kyle Palmieri: Islanders probably have him locked up

Things are quiet. Too quiet on the Kyle Palmieri front. Which means he isn’t likely exploring his options outside of the Island. Which in turn means that Lou Lamoriello probably has it all said and done. Just like he did last year with Andy Greene and Matt Martin.

Vladimir Tarasenko: Islanders or New Jersey

As much as Jersey has the cap space to add Tarasenko and have a number of promising young players, they aren’t as competitive as the Islanders are at the moment. The Devils have made the playoffs once over the last nine years.

This seems like an easy decision. Sorry, Jersey,

Gabriel Landeskog: Colorado finds a way

This is why these predictions aren’t certain. While Friedman believes Colorado and their captain find a way to get a deal done, it seems that things have gone south between Landeskog and the Avalanche.

Things can certainly change, but with 48 hours till free agency opens this could be how things go between the Avs and their captain.

Now I’m not here to say who is the better target (Landeskog vs. Tarasenko) but it’s clear both are indeed targets. It’s possible both are available to the Isles.

Brandon Saad: Isles linked

This one is confusing. Saad is a good player, but with Kyle Palmieri basically, signed why target a similar player? Like my colleague Matt O’Leary wrote this morning: “Adding Saad wouldn’t be enough”.

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