What should the New York Islanders do?

The New York Islanders are in a tough spot. The squad is in last place in the metropolitan division and five points out of a playoff spot. Should they start to sell some of their older players like Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri or should they keep it together and buy at the trade deadline? 

It’s a tough call because the blue and orange are just getting healthy. The squad was without Mat Barzal, Anthony Duclair, and Adam Pelech for six weeks but all players are back now. This could definitely change the outcome as all of them are impact players. If they get on a win streak I could see the Islanders being buyers at this year’s trade deadline. 

I think they should sell. The Islanders are an older team and even when healthy they can’t manage to hold onto a lead. It’s time to sell some of their pieces that have value. 

Nelson and Palmieri are the two names that come to mind. Neither have been given an extension and both have had good seasons. Both players could be valuable to any team and would net the Islanders some much-needed young talent whether that is draft picks or young NHL players. 

The Islanders have some young talent like Simon Holmstrom and Isaiah George who have already been contributors at the NHL level. Holmstrom has really picked up his game this season with nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 34 games this season. George has just played in his 20th game and notched his first goal in the NHL. 

Maxim Tsyplakov has emerged as one of the top six contributors the Islanders needed and has done well to start his rookie season. He has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points and is a +12  in his first season in the NHL. 

The Islanders also have some prospects like Cole Eiserman and Alex Jefferies that could help the team next season. 

With the way the standings look and how the blue and orange have been playing it might be in the team’s best interest to look ahead to next season and build for the future