After their rout of the Boston Bruins at home, the Islanders sit at 66 points and just 5 points out of a playoff spot ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, who could the Islanders and Lou Lamoriello look to add to the roster with limited cap space?
1. F Anthony Duclair – San Jose Sharks
The fit with Duclair is an obvious one. Duclair is a speedy forward who played under Head Coach Patrick Roy when he was in juniors for the Quebec Ramparts. Duclair could slot in right into the top 6 for the Islanders as they continue the playoff push, and could get a spot on the Islanders PP2 unit as well. Though he hasn’t been lighting the scoresheet on fire playing on the first line for the lowly San Jose Sharks, he has some great traits that Lou Lamoriello could covet for the Islanders. The fit is obvious and it would be relatively cheap.
Mock Trade:
San Jose Gets: F Oliver Wahlstrom, D Sebastion Aho, 2024 4th Round Pick
Islanders get: F Anthony Duclair (50% Retained)
The Islanders part with some expiring assets that they do not have future plans for, Oliver Wahlstrom could find himself being a solid fit in San Jose and could get some run to prove he deserves a shot in the NHL long term. Aho is an expiring deal the Islanders likely won’t look to bring back, but he can be a serviceable defenseman.
2. F Frank Vatrano – Anaheim Ducks
Vatrano is in the midst of a breakout season with the Anaheim Ducks, and is currently on pace for about 38 goals. He is on a 3.6 million cap it this year and next, he is one of the most valuable commodities at this years trade deadline, and the Islanders are surely interested. Vatrano could slot into either of the Islanders top 2 lines and instantly be a threat come playoff time if the Islanders get there. Vatrano has a long list of suitors, his former team and cross town rival New York Rangers among them, though if Lou is interested, we won’t know unless a trade is completed.
Mock Trade:
Anaheim Gets: F Oliver Wahlstrom, D Sebastion Aho, F Ruslan Iskhakov, 2024 First Round Pick, 2024 4th Round Pick
Islanders Get: F Frank Vatrano (50% Retained)
This would be a steep price to pay for Vatrano, who arguably is the best player available right now if Pavel Buchnevich of the Blues doesn’t get moved. The fit with the Islanders could make a lot of sense on the second line, especially playing alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Kyle Palmieri.
3. F Shane Pinto – Ottawa Senators
Pinto was rumoured to be interested in coming to the Islanders as a restricted free agent over the summer, being a native of Long Island. Pinto was suspended for half the season for gambling, and has lit it up for the Senators since returning, and if the Islanders acquired him, it would enable them to get younger and get rid of an expensive contract.
Mock Trade:
Ottawa Gets: F Jean-Gabriel Pageau, 2024 2nd Round Pick
Islanders Get: F Shane Pinto
Pinto would be a good fit this season in the Islanders top 6, and the Islanders have been scouting the senators lately and there’s multiple players that could be for. Pinto, Tarasenko, Chychrun to name a few. Pinto would be a solid add to an Islanders team that is on the older side. Though I think they’ll be younger next year with the possible departures of veteran guys like Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck.
You can debate who the best option would be out of these three. Some would argue Duclair for the speed, Vatrano for the goal scoring, Pinto for being a quality young forward. If Lou Lamoriello wants to put the Islanders in the best position to go contend for a stanley cup, He’ll trade for Frank Vatrano. However, Lou may not want to trade another first round pick. Though I’d be okay trading a first this year considering this draft class is fairly weak after the top end, I would be all for the Islanders acquiring Frank Vatrano. But I think Lou will go get one of Roy’s guys. Which is why I believe he’ll acquire Anthony Duclair from San Jose as the Isles push for the playoffs.
Lines After Trade:
Nelson-Horvat-Barzal
Duclair-Pageau-Palmieri
Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom
Lee-MaClean-Clutterbuck
Romanov-Dobson
Pelech-Pulock
Reilly-Mayfield
Sorokin
Varlamov
BS Reports 
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