Looking ahead at 3 potential free agent options for the NY Islanders in 2025

Carter Verhaeghe

A trade that still hurts years later, the Islanders traded Carter Verhaghe to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017 for Kristers Gudlevskis.

Eight years later, Verhaghe has emerged as a 40-goal scorer and has his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

After this season Verhaghe's three-year $4.167AAV contract with the Florida Panthers will expire making him a free agent.

Varhaghe's career trajectory has been trending upward ever since joining the Panthers in 2020, scoring 42 goals in 2022-23 and finishing with 72 points last season.

Aside from filling up the stat sheet, Verhaghe has shown up when it matters most - in the playoffs. He led the Panthers in playoff goals on their path to the Stanley Cup, scoring 11 across four rounds. Not only does he find the back of the net, but he's done so at the most important times with five overtime goals in his career.

Verhaeghe isn't as dynamic as Marner and isn't the natural goal scorer Boeser is, but the guy just seems to get it. Overlooked most of his career, even by the Islanders, he's played with a chip on his shoulder and is now reaping the benefits.

Verhaghe will likely cost less than Marner and Boeser but is still capable of playing first line minutes along with the top power play unit. It may be difficult to pry him away from Southern Florida as he's grown into the player he is during his four years with the Cats.

Varhaghe will be on the wrong side of 30 next off-season but will be looking for the biggest payday in his career, and the Islanders would be smart to give him a second chance