How can the NY Islanders make a trade for Alex DeBrincat fit under the salary cap?

You've seen the rumors by now: the Ottawa Senators are actively trying to trade Alex DeBrincat.

He's a young and skilled scoring winger who averages 34 goals and 68 points per season, with career highs of 41 goals and 78 points. He's only 25 years old and coming off a down year, where he "only" scored 27 goals (which would have been the 3rd-most of any Islander this year).

How can the NY Islanders make a trade for Alex DeBrincat work?

The Islanders don't have enough picks or prospects alone to make a reasonable offer.

Last year, he was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to Ottawa for the 7th overall pick, plus a 2nd and 3rd rounder in 2023. But it seems like Ottawa wants to stay competitive and continue to build toward becoming a playoff team, so they're looking to get NHL players in return. That's why the rumor is that JG Pageau would be going the other way in a DeBrincat trade makes sense for both sides.

Of course, that wouldn't be the entire deal - the Islanders would need to add more. But beginning with Pageau, as opposed to beginning with picks or prospects, means that this trade becomes possible.

Let's look at the Islanders' current cap situation, DeBrincat's next contract, why the Islanders can offer term, and how the winger can fit under this year's salary cap.