Weekes: NY Islanders not done shopping yet

Following a rough January in which the NY Islanders only scored 29 goals in 15 games, general manager Lou Lamoriello (finally) realized that his team was in desperate need of help. By now you know the Islanders acquired Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, former top prospect Aatu Räty, and a top-12 protected 2023 first-round draft pick. Horvat is certainly going to help the Islanders put the puck in the net more often, however, in order to acquire the 27-year-old center, the Islanders had to give up two current roster players to do so. Now, they're a player short in the forward group with injuries also playing a factor as the Islanders are unlikely to see Oliver Wahlstrom and Cal Clutterbuck again this season. That's why NHL insider Kevin Weekes thinks Lamoriello has more moves up his sleeves.

"I think this Islander team has goaltending that’s this good, elite in (Ilya) Sorokin and (Semyon) Varlamov comes in and plays like a (No.1 goaltender) you’re in every game," Weekes explained on a segment of NHL Network. "They have a chance. We know they (didn’t) have the goal scoring threat, so now you add Horvat. Is it enough? No. Is it a lot, yes. It’ll certainly help, I believe.”

Horvat has 31 goals (11 on the power play) in 49 games this season and is on a torrid pace to 52 goals in an 82-game span. However, even his scoring touch alone isn't enough for an Islanders team that scored just 1.9 goals per game in the month of January. Despite the acquisition of a goal scorer, the Islanders top-6 is lacking a winger with the departure of Beauvillier. With cap consistantly accruing while no one is listed to long-term injured reserve, the Islanders are looking at $11,381,332 in cap space at the deadline, plenty of dough to fit in another reinforcment.

"All things be equal, I don’t necessarily think the Islanders are done shopping yet," Weekes continued. "I do not think they are finished shopping yet."

There have been a few intriguing names circulating on the market, especially now since the first domino has fallen. Ivan Barbashev and Noel Acciari of the St. Louis Blues are intriguing options that have been rumored to be available. Players such as Vladimir Tarasenko and Brock Boeser are also said to be available, however, it's likely the Islanders priced themselves out of those players after acquiring Horvat. We're about one month away from the trade deadline on March 3rd and we could be in for a wild ride in what appears to be a buyer's market. Buckle up.