Goldman: NY Islanders should trade for Timo Meier

The NY Islanders scoring woes continue. In last night's matchup against the NHL's best Boston Bruins, the Isles surrendered four goals in a 4-1 loss, dropping their seventh game in their last nine. The Bruins stars took over the game with all of David Krejci, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Charlie McAvoy collecting points, a theme that often happens against the Isles but never happens for them. Part of the reason it doesn't happen is due to the lack of star power because after Ilya Sorokin and Mathew Barzal, the star power ends there. The NHL Trade Deadline is about six weeks away and according the Shayna Goldman of The Athletic, the Islanders should look to trade for Timo Meier who has been made available by the San Jose Sharks.

Meier is a two-time 30-plus goal scorer and this season, he's on pace to shatter those totals on a 45-goal pace. The 26-year-old winger is having an impressive season despite the Sharks sitting near the bottom of the league as a bottom-five team, 28th overall. One of the Islanders biggest problems has been on the power play where in the last 18 games, they've converted in just three of 46 attempts. In 46 games this season, Meier has scored on the power play 12 times, something that would surely help the Islanders woes.

Goldman sites that the Islanders need a running mate with Barzal and although Oliver Wahlstrom could develop into that player, Meier would also fit well and he's ready now. The problem that Lou Lamoriello could run into if he attempts to make this big of a splash on the trade market is cap space. The Islanders might not have the room to make the trade happen unless the move out some of their own. The Sharks are surely looking for a big return for their star-winger in his prime, so it might work in the Isles favor if there are players on the Isles roster that catch Sharks GM Mike Greir's eye.

Goldman also sites that the Islanders have the draft picks to include in a trade, but the prospect pool in contrast to other teams that will surely have interest in Meier have deeper pools of prospects for the Sharks to choose from which could ultimately see the Islanders loose out in the end.

Regardless, the Islanders should be in the hunt for a player like Meier as they have the foundation of a team that can compete. The goaltending is already the best it can be, they have the defenseman to fill out a strong, deep blue line, and the star center in Barzal with a supporting cast that's adequete IF they can add the star power.

In recent history, general managers have veered away from the idea of a "rebuild," but instead believe in the idea of a "retool" which in simple terms is an accelerated rebuild to compete sooner than later. The Islanders would surely benefit from a retool with a player like Anthony Beauvillier likely needing a fresh start and he's young enough for the Sharks to be a desirable asset in return. Couple that with a prospect and a high draft pick, and the Islanders just might be able to make it happen. Lamorillo's time to salvage the season is running out and the Islanders need to make a move of this magnitude sooner rather than later.