With the All-Star break now behind us, the trade deadline looms large and is just over a month away. Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the New York Islanders.
If you were looking for the hockey version of Murphy’s Law, perhaps it is the New York Islanders, because everything that could have gone wrong, has gone wrong. The team began with 13 straight games on the road as they waited for their new arena to be finished, and while they started okay, it finished with a tired group losing the last four. Just when home cooking was finally calling their name, captain Anders Lee kicked was placed in COVID protocol and the team eventually needed to pause their season. Seven straight losses followed that season-opening road trip, and in many eyes, the Islanders were already out of the race. Things haven’t really gotten back on track and even with games in hand, it will be a tough task to climb all the way back to a postseason position.
Record
17-20-6, 6th in the Metropolitan
Deadline Status
Seller
Deadline Cap Space
$12.67MM in projected deadline cap space, 0/3 retention slots used, 44/50 contracts used per CapFriendly.
Upcoming Draft Picks
2022: NYI 1st, COL 2nd, NYI 3rd, NYI 5th, NYI 6th
2023: NYI 1st, NYI 2nd, NYI 4th, NYI 5th, NYI 6th, NYI 7th
Trade Chips
For a team that thought they would be contending for not just the playoffs but the Stanley Cup, it’s hard to know just how far the Islanders would go in terms of selling at the deadline. Cal Clutterbuck is the name most recently added to the rumor mill because of his expiring contract and his bottom-six experience. The 34-year-old has played over 900 games in the NHL and has been a key part of the team’s “Identity Line” for years, joining Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin as a bang-and-crash group that was trusted defensively.
But in terms of pure rentals, it doesn’t end with Clutterbuck. The Islanders also have Zach Parise, Zdeno Chara, and Andy Greene on expiring low-cost deals, with each bringing a ton of experience to the table for any playoff contender. While none of them represent much upside–for the acquiring team or the Islanders–the 35+ group could be shipped off to recoup some late-round picks, if they’re up for it.
Beyond that, there are some interesting names on the Islanders roster though. Scott Mayfield is an inexpensive right-handed defenseman with one more year on his deal. He could be among the most sought-after deadline targets for teams looking to improve their defense on a budget. Mayfield has averaged exactly 20 minutes per game this season, the most of his career, and brings a ton of size and physical play to the table.
Team Needs
1) Young NHL players: There’s no way the Islanders are going to pull the plug on this group and rebuild, so for next season they’re going to need some young talent to support their veteran core. Lee, Cizikas, Martin, Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, Josh Bailey are all on the wrong side of 30 and signed for at least two more seasons, meaning someone is going to have to start providing some value on entry-level or bridge contracts if the Islanders want to get back to the top.
2) Draft picks: That of course can also be done with draft picks, but like Philadelphia yesterday, the Islanders also may need some assets this summer to add to their group or get rid of some bad contracts. With picks already sent out of town for 2022, getting a couple more bullets in the chamber could help Lamoriello in the offseason.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
This team is a dumpster fire.