Five Islanders trade targets from Sportsnet's 25 candidates

It's never too early to think about a trade. Even for the New York Islanders. I know no one is thinking about it, but the Islanders need assistance. They've needed it for some time now of course.

And leading up to the trade deadline, there are a few interesting options that are rumored to be on the market. Sportsnet put together a list of 25 players that might be available leading up to the trade deadline. I picked out five players that should interest the Isles.

New York Islanders: Five options ahead of trade deadline

Mark Giordano
The New York Islanders need a puck mover from the back end, and one that can command a power play. Mark Giordano isn't the player he used to be but he's still an effective defender and fits what the Islnaders need.

He was a top-four defender, he's performed on the power play for years, and he's been a top producer from the back end for just as long. But that's kind of in the past. He's still an alright defender for Seattle, but adding a 38-year-old to a blue line that already features a 44 and 39-year-old doesn't sound like a great solution.

Brendan Gallagher
He's the perfect type of payer for the Islanders. He's got a tone of heart, a ton of fight. He's responsible in his own end and he scores a lot. Like 30 goals a lot.

He doesn't want to stick around for another Montreal rebuild, but can anyone really afford to take him on? He's in the first year of a six-year deal worth $39 million. That's a $6.5 million AAV for the next five seasons for a player who turns 30 in May. Again, not ideal for the Islanders.

J.T. Miller
Miller is one of the most intriguing names on this list for the Isles. The former Ranger has flourished since joining the Vancouver Canucks where he's become a top-line winger. In his three years with the Canucks he's just under a point-per-game player with 144 points in 149 games.

Miller's contract isn't an issue. He's on a $5.25 million cap hit that expires next season. How would he look playing alongside Mathew Barzal on the Isles top-line?

Tyler Toffoli
Thirty goal potential, right shot, a decent AAV, and a short commitment (only three more years). Tyler Toffoli is a good fit or the Islanders. But he isn't exactly an elite level player. Adding him would add another second line forward to a group of second line forwards. The Isles need more than that.

Vladamir Tarasenko
He wants out of St Louis. That much has been clear since the Seattle expansion draft. The Isles could have had him then and probably for cheaper than he'll cost now. But then, no one was certain in what shape Tarasenko would be in when he returned. He had missed most of the two years prior with shoulder injuries.

With 26 games played this year Tarasenko has eight goals and 21 points. A pace of 25 goals and 66 points over a full season. Who knows if he gets that type of production on the Island, but adding a player that routinely scores 30 goals in a season (he's done it five times in seven years) is exactly what the New York Islanders need and have needed for a while now.

Again, the cost isn't going to be small, he's going to be expensive to land, but if the Isles can manage to swing the deal it would be perfect for them.