With the new duo of Mathieu Darche and Patrick Roy what players could be moved this offseason

This offseason will be a crucial and exciting one for New York Islanders fans. The organization won the draft lottery and changed its direction by hiring Mathieu Darche. With Darche keeping Patrick Roy, changes could be made, and here are three players who could be moved. 

No. 1 Pierre Engvall

Engvall doesn’t fit what Roy wants, and Roy doesn’t appear to be a big fan of Engvall’s game, so this bad relationship needs to come to an end. 

Engvall improved last season and tried to fit into Roy’s scheme, but never consistently, leading to Engvall often finding himself in the press box.

I thought Engvall wasn’t as bad as it was made to be, but Roy thought otherwise. The issue with Engvall is his contract length. Darche said he didn’t plan on buying anyone out, so the only way Engvall could be moved is through trade. Is there any team that would take him? Probably, but only if there is something that’s attached to him.

No. 2 Alexander Romanov

Ideally, would I want to trade Romanov? No, but he is expendable at this point. With the Islanders likely drafting Matthew Schaefer at No.1 and keeping Adam Pelech as a mentor, Romanov at a large price tag isn’t worth it. 

The Islanders also have Isaiah George, who could be ready to contribute full-time next season. Romanov would bring high value in return or could be a part of a major trade package. The asking price is rumored to be high, which isn’t surprising, but depending on the offer, it wouldn’t shock me if Romanov was traded at the NHL Draft. 

No. 3 Jean-Gabriel Pageau 

I originally had Anthony Duclair on this list, but it doesn’t sound like the Islanders are going to move him, and Pageau’s name has been floating around in trade rumors, so it makes sense. The free agent center market isn’t deep at all, other than former Islander John Tavares and Sam Bennett. 

There have already been a ton of teams that have inquired about Pageau. Considering the weak center market, it makes sense for the Islanders to move on from him now. It clears $5 million off the cap, which could allow Darche to make other moves. I’d expect anything from a late first-round pick or a second-round pick and a middle-tier prospect in return for the centerman.