5 realistic trade deadline targets for the NY Islanders

Erik Johnson, D, Buffalo Sabres

This isn't a move that Lamoriello would make unless his hand were forced due to injury. Scott Mayfield remains out of the Islanders lineup for unknown reasons, with no timetable on when he might return. Robert Bortuzzo was brought in to fill in on the right side of the blue line, but his injury remains a question of whether he'll return this season.

Sebastian Aho is currently playing on his off-side alongside Mike Reilly on the third pairing, but the Isles would ideally like a right-handed stick in that position.

Erik Johnson, now 35 years old, is a former Stanley Cup Champion with the Colorado Avalanche, on a one-year $3.5M deal with the Buffalo Sabres. With The Sabres all but guaranteed to miss the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, they'll likely look to move the veteran to a contender.

Johnson would be a rental and wouldn't cost much more than a late-round pick. He'd bring in another element of leadership and would be the only player on the roster, aside from Bortuzzo who has hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup.