Islanders can pull off shocking heist if this Jean-Gabriel Pageau trade rumor happens

Jean-Gabriel Pageau may not put up All-Star numbers, but he's one of the most well-rounded players in the NHL. Pageau, who is in his sixth full season with the New York Islanders, is playing for a team that could be more focused on the future and building around star defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

So, it's no surprise to see Pageau lurking in the rumor mill again, this time from The Athletic, where Chris Johnston said the following: "A versatile right-shot center with plenty of big-game experience, Pageau will find himself in demand if the Islanders start to sell before the trade deadline. Not only is he strong in the faceoff circle and a capable penalty killer, but he’s also shown an ability to produce some offense down the lineup.

"Pageau profiles as a classic rental player. He’s currently playing on an affordable expiring contract that includes a modified no-trade clause."

There's one team that fits the mold here, and that's the Toronto Maple Leafs for a couple of reasons. For one, the Leafs, at this point, are going to do anything to make a deep playoff run. If that means overpaying for a complete, jack-of-all-trades player like Pageau, they're going to do that.

New York Islanders need to hope the Maple Leafs inquire about Jean-Gabriel Pageau

For one, the Isles could almost certainly ask for Nick Robertson, arguably the NHL's most underrated forward, whose production can take off if he has a chance to play on a team in transition. Once again, Robertson finds himself relegated to fourth-line minutes, and he has one point in his first seven games to show for it. 

But in the past, Robertson has been a depth scorer, putting up 29 goals in 2023-24 and 2024-25, good for a shooting percentage of 13.9. He's also developed a hitter's mentality lately, logging 79 body checks in 2024-25, and he has nine so far in 2025-26. 

Still, Robertson wouldn't be enough in a trade for Pageau, since the Islanders would be giving up a seasoned veteran and a solid defensive forward with a knack for logging top or, at worst, middle-six minutes. 

Islanders could get a high draft pick for Pageau if they traded with a team like the Leafs

The Maple Leafs don't have a first-round pick in 2026 or 2027, but they haven't traded away their top pick in 2028. And, given this team's desperation to make a deep playoff run after they have at least made it past the first round of the postseason in recent years, they will give up a first for a player like Pageau.

Why? Even if he's a veteran on the last year of his deal, chances are, Pageau won't be getting a $5 million cap hit when he signs his next contract. This would let the Maple Leafs try to keep him at a reduced rate and on a smaller contract, likely between two and three seasons.

While the Isles would have to retain some of that contract in a trade with a team like Toronto, it would only be for a few months until Pageau's contract expires. That would take him off their hands completely and allow Toronto to try and extend him, likely for something between $2 million and $3 million a year. 

In the end, the Isles would get a 2028 first-round pick, plus Nick Robertson, and the Leafs could get another solid, two-way forward. It wouldn't be a guaranteed win for either team, but there would be a lot of potential here.

There would be some cap logistics to work out, but knowing how savvy NHL general managers are when it comes to trades, expect Mathieu Darche and Brad Treliving to make ends meet.