Eyes On Isles

Does it make sense for the NY Islanders to trade for Patrik Laine?

Patrick Laine is one of the NHL's premier goal scorers when he's on the ice. The problem is, he's been off the ice as often as he's been on it the last few seasons. There's no questioning his talent, but with an injury plague past and a high cap hit, does looking to acquire him make sense for the NY Islanders?

Columbus Blue Jackets v Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets v Carolina Hurricanes | Jaylynn Nash/GettyImages
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Laine makes sense for the Islanders at the right cost

As is with the Islanders acquiring any player at this point, the salary cap is the greatest obstacle. The Islanders are $950k over the salary cap after signing Oliver Wahlstrom, needing to shed cap before the season begins even with the roster constructed as is.

Laine comes with a $8.7M cap hit each of the next two seasons, meaning the Islanders would need to move out significant money to bring him in.

In any deal for Laine, the Islanders would need the Blue Jackets or a third team to retain some cap. Columbus can retain up to 50% of his contract, bringing the Islanders' cap hit on Laine down to $4.35M. Or, Columbus could retain some of his cap with a third team retaining some in exchange for a draft pick.

The name brought up in just about every trade scenario for the Islanders has been JG Pageau. As their roster currently stands, the Blue Jackets have Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli as their top two centers, with Cole Sillinger currently slotted on the third line according to Daily Faceoff. While Sillinger is still young, he's had a rocky start to his NHL career, and Columbus may not be prepared to slot him into the everyday lineup. Fantilli is also capable of playing the wing, which would open a spot for Pageau.

Additionally, the Islanders would have to likely throw in either Simon Holmstrom or Wahlstrom, along with a draft pick to make the deal work with Columbus.

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