After losing 7-1 to the Buffalo Sabres, the Islanders seem to be slowly realizing that now is the time for them to trade some of their key rental pieces for draft picks and prospects. Who could they trade and what could they get?
Before I go into who I think the Islanders will likely make available, let’s take a look at where they are at as we enter the Holiday break. The Islanders currently sit last in the Metro division with a 13-15-7 record, for 33 points through 35 games. Their 13 wins sits at T-3rd worst in the league. Only Buffalo, Chicago, Nashville and San Jose have less wins than the Islanders. Their special teams are a real killer right now. The Islanders power play ranks last in the league at just 12%. Their penalty kill also sits at last, at just 64.4%. Yes the Islanders were missing key pieces like Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech, and Anthony Duclair for a big stretch of the season, but that doesn’t mean they should have been this bad. The time is now to start the retool, sell off some guys, get some picks and prospects, and with a high pick this year, and money to spend in free agency, the retool may not take long, à la Washington Capitals. Let’s take a look at who I think the Islanders could trade and what I think they could get in return. I’ll preface this by saying if the Islanders sell, the only players I expect them to move are Brock Nelson, and Kyle Palmieri, though there will be another player on here as well.
The Nelson Trade
We start with Brock Nelson. The pending UFA has been one of the Islanders most consistent players over the last 3 years, and it seems he may be the first one to go. With the Four Nations Faceoff coming up in February, Lamoriello may opt to deal Nelson before that point. Nelson would be very valuable to a cup contending team at just $3 Million AAV after retention. The Islanders could get a nice haul back.
Mock Trade:
NYI Receives: 2025 First Round Pick, F Mavrik Bourque
DAL Receives: F Brock Nelson
The Islanders make out well here, as they not only acquire a draft pick to bolster their prospect pool, but they also get Mavrik Bourque. Bourque is a 22 year old former first round pick who’s in his first NHL campaign, and the Stars may look to trade him in their pursuit of a Stanley Cup. Bourque would immediately slot into the Islanders top six as they start the retool.
Palmieri also Moved
Kyle Palmieri, like Nelson is a rental this season, and would be fairly cheap after retention. He is a very valuable middle-six player on a playoff contender, he can play in all situations and can slot into anywhere in the lineup. I think the Islanders could find an unlikely trade partner in this deal, with the Washington Capitals.
Mock Trade:
NYI Receives: 2025 First Round Pick, D Ryan Chesley
WSH Receives: F Kyle Palmieri
Like the Nelson deal, the Islanders acquire a draft pick and a prospect. Chesley is a solid RD prospect, currently captaining the University of Minnesota, the 2022 2nd round pick could be a key piece for the Islanders in the future as their defense core ages. The Islanders could seriously help their returns if they retain half of both Nelson and Palmieri’s salaries. Nelson would be only $3 million and Palmieri $2.5 million. That will play on the trade market.
The Big and Unexpected Move
We don’t necessarily know how the Islanders feel about Noah Dobson long term. There were rumors over the summer that he would extend with the Islanders for 8 years, around $8 Million AAV. However that deal never came to fruition. Dobson hasn’t been as productive on either side of the puck as he was in his breakout 2023 season. Though he hasn’t produced as much, he would likely garner the best return out of the players already mentioned. I have him being sent to the Minnesota Wild, for quite the haul.
Mock Trade
NYI Receives: 2026 First Round Pick, 2025 2nd Round Pick, 2026 2nd Round Pick, F Danila Yurov
MIN Receives: D Noah Dobson
If the Islanders sell in a big way, Dobson will be dealt, and he by far will return the biggest haul of assets for New York. My preference is that the Islanders listen on Dobson, but don’t move him unless they’re really blown away like in the mock trade above, I don’t foresee Dobson being dealt, rather being bridged, but if he is, the Islanders will get an absolute haul in return for the young defenseman.
We don’t exactly know what direction Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders will choose to go, but one thing is certain. This team as constructed is not good enough to win a Stanley Cup, a smart roster retool could be enough to get them back into that conversation.
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