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NY Islanders Send Scouts to View Ottawa Senators two nights in a row

By Zoe Jurmann |
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Dallas Stars v Ottawa Senators / Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photo/GettyImages
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Per Stefan Rosner on X, the NY Islanders had a scout at a second-straight Ottawa Senators game on Tuesday night against the Nashville Predators. While Ottawa has long been a potential trade market for the Islanders, here are some potential matches on the Sens and how they could fit into the Islanders lineup.

SHANE PINTO

The Long Island native has been on Islanders fan's radar since the summer break. The forward was an RFA at the end of the 2022-23 season but remained unsigned by the Sens after receiving a 41-game suspension for violating the NHL's sports betting rules to start the season. Many fans across the league wondered if the Sens were shopping the forward during his suspension, but Pinto was signed to a one-year league minimum contract on January 19th, 2024, just in time for his return to the league.

Pinto is a young, two-way, physical centerman - some might say similar to Brock Nelson. Currently playing on the Sens' second line, Pinto still contributes greatly to the Sens lineup. the 23-year-old averages about 18 minutes of ice time a night and has a shooting percentage of 11.4 in just 15 games, contributing 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points. While he is still young and has room for improvement in his game, Pinto is a winner in the faceoff circle and plays on the power play. It's been a long time coming having a native Long Islander who grew up rooting for the Isles play for the blue and orange, and it's about time Pinto comes home. He is exactly what the Islanders need in a Nelson replacement if he were to be traded or leave via free agency following next season.

VLADIMIR TARASENKO

We can all agree that any player born in 1996 or earlier should not be on the Islanders' radar. With a severely aging lineup, a need for new players, and not many Bridgeport prospects to replace the outgoing elders, a trade with a young player or NHL-ready prospect is preferred. However, Tarasenko seems to have been on the Islanders' radar for the better part of two years. In 54 games with the Sens, Tarasenko has kept his scoring up with 38 points (15 G, 23 A) and is shooting at 13.8% -the second-best of his career thus far.

Tarasenko is also a UFA at the end of this season, so while probably not someone Lou Lamoriello is looking to trade for, he could remain on Lamoriello's radar during the off-season. The 32-year-old is nearing the back end of his career but has remained an excellent skater with the puck-handling skills to keep up, and his point production, while nothing crazy, has stayed consistent compared to his career.

JAKOB CHYCHRUN

The Islanders have only up to go from here on their backend with Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov having breakout seasons, especially Dobson, becoming the Islanders' top defenseman. Chychrun is a left-handed defenseman, and that role seems pretty secure with Adam Pelech, Mike Reilly, and Romanov. With Reilly's contract expiring at season's end, a trade for Chychrun would be an upgrade and longer-term solution along the blue line.

Chychrun currently has a cap hit of $4.2 million, and a modified no-trade clause (10-team no-trade list.) Despite playing on the Sens' bottom pair, the 25-year-old is the team's top goal scorer on the back end with 9 goals and 21 assists in 56 games. Chychrun is a very dynamic defenseman and would fit in well with the Islanders system. He is known as a very proactive defenseman and excels in the defensive zone thanks to his puck tracking skills and his game's physical nature. Chychrun doesn't let his defensive talent stop him from shining in the offensive zone and he's never afraid to control a zone entry or jump in on the play.

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