With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, Blasting News takes a look at what players could be headed to the New York Islanders come Feb. 29. Currently sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but lacking the consistent scoring they’ve been known for over the past few seasons, the Islanders have needs to address if they want to get to the playoffs for the second consecutive season- and possibly win their first playoff series since 1993. Therehave already been a few big movesin the league, could the Islanders be the next team to make an acquisition?
Jonathan Drouin:He's like a box of chocolates. No one knows what they’re going to get with the former first round pick, but if the Islanders can get him for a steal, the move simply has to be made. John Tavares has consistently made the players around him better, just ask PA Parenteau, Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes. What would JT be able to do with a blue chip prospect the likes of Drouin?
Kris Versteeg: Carolina is still in the mix and Versteeg is leading the team in assists. While his numbers have dipped the past few seasons, he’s been good this year on an up and down Carolina team. With a more than solid playoff pedigree as well, he’s a guy plenty of teams would want. If the Islanders do trade Kyle Okposo at the deadline, Versteeg could be a guy the Isles pick up to replace KO’s offense.
With Cam Ward being shopped and the Islanders depth at goaltender and at Bridgeport, a move could possibly be worked out between the two teams.
Jiri Hudler: If the Islanders trade Frans Nielsen (a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season) at the deadline, a guy like Hudler, last year’s Lady Byng winner and a former 30-goal scorer, may come into play.
How he fits in his unknown currently, especially with Mikhail Grabovski’s improved play as of late and the fact that the Islanders have plenty of people that can step up and play center on the second or third lines. Regardless, it could spice up the Islanders forward lines.
Dustin Byfuglien: Sure, he’s got attitude problems, but the guy is in the prime of his career and is a gamer.
The Islanders, in spite of the solid play of Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk over the past season and a half, don’t have that offensive defenseman they need and it’s apparent that the Marek Zidlicky experiment has been a failure. If Travis Hamonic is traded, they could use another guy with some grit and Byfuglien is not fun to play against. Could they take a risk and bring in Byfuglien for the playoff push? With a few solid defensive prospects in Bridgeport, it’s a gamble they may be able to take, as long as the price tag isn’t too steep.
Mikkel Boedker: Just like Kyle Okposo, Boedker is in the final year of his deal, with a team that wants to resign him. As stated before, Islanders captain John Tavares has a habit of elevating the games of his teammates and Boedker is a guy that could quickly morph into a 25-goal scorer on a line with JT.
What do you think of these players? Would you like to see them play in Brooklyn? Sign off in the comment section below and let us know.
