The New York Islanders are not significantly taken out from currently being just one win absent from the Stanley Cup Closing. In 2020, the crew arrived in just two wins of competing for the Cup. New York arrived so shut, but now it seems hockey’s holy grail is so significantly absent.
The Islanders made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023. Having said that, their operate lasted just one spherical. They have been pushed aside by the Carolina Hurricanes. It marked the first time considering the fact that 2014-15 that the Islanders made the playoffs and went out round one particular.
The staff experienced a relatively silent offseason this summer time. Lou Lamoriello mostly prolonged his very own players and preserved the team’s status quo. That surely could show a clever choice. After all, possessing a comprehensive period of Bo Horvat in its place of a 50 %-season is a constructive.
That explained, it truly is hard to gauge how matters will change out for New York this year. But we may be in a position to select out a couple players who could see themselves on a new staff at some issue. In this article are a few opportunity trade candidates for the New York Islanders ahead of 2023-24 training camp.
Sebastian Aho
Not to be baffled with the Hurricanes star of the similar name, Aho enters this year in a bit of a pickle. The Islanders defenseman heads into education camp combating for a roster spot after all over again. The 27-calendar year-aged could obtain himself on the exterior looking in this fall.
Aho is a wonderful defenseman and a serviceable selection for any team’s third pairing. On top of that, he is coming off a career time in which he scored 5 goals and 23 details. He isn’t the flashiest participant, but Aho is surely a participant who can enable a workforce when he’s on the ice.
If Aho loses his roster spot this season, a trade could be on the cards. Even if he helps make the roster, he could stand for a cheap depth solution if New York decides to provide. Aho makes a lot less than $1 million and is hitting the open market upcoming season. Any group hunting to strengthen their bottom defensive pairing must have the Islanders on pace dial.
Kyle Palmieri
Palmieri joined the Islanders at the 2020 NHL trade deadline through a trade from the New Jersey Devils. The 13-12 months NHL veteran has witnessed a decrease in his creation above the past couple seasons. Nevertheless, there could possibly nonetheless be something remaining in the tank.
Palmieri has a wealth of experience in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has gone on deep playoff runs with the Islanders and the Anaheim Ducks. He has nevertheless to surface in the Stanley Cup Ultimate. But his knowledge in the playoffs as a whole is useful however.
Palmieri is certainly not easy to trade, having said that. He is owed $5 million above every of the future two seasons. If he continues at a 30-ish stage pace, that is a really hard capsule to swallow. Also, the 32-calendar year-previous has a modified no-trade clause making it possible for him to block trades to 16 groups. This, really virtually, cuts his marketplace in 50 percent.
That claimed, if curiosity is substantial ample, the possibility has to be deemed. And if Palmieri sees an opportunity to eventually gain a Cup in other places, he could waive the clause and chase hockey’s holy grail up coming summertime.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Like Palmieri, Pageau joined the Islanders at the 2020 NHL trade deadline from the Ottawa Senators. The 11-year NHL veteran rebounded a bit this earlier season. He posted his 1st 40-issue season considering that the 2019-20 NHL time.
The Islanders have held conversations pertaining to a potential Pageau trade. In simple fact, New York reportedly made available Pageau and Oliver Wahlstrom to the Senators as portion of a deal for Alex DeBrincat. DeBrincat ended up going to the Detroit Purple Wings.
Pageau could stand for a trade solution this time for any crew searching for heart depth. Or, it’s possible the Islanders are in the playoff hunt. And his $5 million income is then used to make the income do the job in acquiring another set up participant. Both way, hold Pageau’s name in mind as the NHL trade deadline strategies this season.