3 under-the-radar prospects the Islanders should pursue at the trade deadline

It’s looking less like the New York Islanders will be serious wild card contenders this season despite a recent winning streak, so why not pursue some prospects?

Nov 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) plays the
Nov 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) plays the | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jonatan Berggren has shown he can score over in Grand Rapids

Jonatan Berggren may not have shown the Detroit Red Wings that he can be part of the team for what has become a resurgent season for the organization. But that doesn’t mean we need to slap the ‘bust’ label on him and move on, as Berggren has been taking over games in Grand Rapids. 

With 45 points this season, Berggren is pacing all Griffins players by over a dozen points, and he’s the leader in goals scored, with 18. He also has a solid 14.3 shooting percentage and a pair of game-winners. The numbers don’t indicate Berggren is a bust, but he could instead have just been in a bad situation with a Red Wings team that ranks in the top 12 in age and experience. 

Put Berggren onto an organization that should sell off a few players whose contracts will expire following the 2024-25 season, and there may be room for him to grow as an NHLer. Plus, if a player like Palmieri or Nelson were involved in a deal for Berggren, they are once again getting more than one prospect, plus another early-round pick. 

Tempt general manager Steve Yzerman with a blockbuster trade, and you know he will seriously consider. He has enough cap space to make such a trade happen, so why not call up one of the NHL’s most entertaining general managers? 

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