If the New York Islanders do make a trade to upgrade their roster using Jean-Gabriel Pageau, the hole he would leave behind would be massive. But there's one free agent who could fill that hole rather well.

New York Islanders centerman Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been a subject of conversation as of late, as his name has come up in trade talks dating back to the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. 

While Pageau has never been able to reach the 20-goal mark over his four seasons with New York, the 30-year-old forward brings much more than his stat line will ever show.

Yes, he's coming off a career-high in assists, with 27, and his best performance in the face-off dot, winning 57.2 percent of his draws, but it's his shutdown defensive style that makes him not just a perfect playoff-type of player, but a player that could be the missing piece to a Stanley Cup hopeful.

Pageau's name was dropped in a report last Saturday regarding a potential deal involving the Ottawa Senators for forward Alex DeBrincat.

Per a source, the Islanders are still involved in trade conversations, as well as the Detroit Red Wings, so we shall see where the 25-year-old forward ends up. 

After the Islanders made three signings on Wednesday, their backs are against the cap wall and will end up through that wall once restricted free-agent forward Oliver Wahlstrom signs his contract (July 15th deadline). 

That means a move of some kind would have to happen before game one of the 2023-24 NHL season.

Reminder, teams can go 10 percent ($8.35 million) over the cap in the off-season.

READ MORE: Importance of Islanders Signings & What Could Happen Next

This is not to say that Pageau would be on the move, but with the Islanders having center flexibility and the Ottawa natives' value to playoff-contending teams, he certainly could be the odd man out this summer if general manager Lou Lamoriello wants to get a player like a DeBrincat or a puck-moving defenseman. 

If the Islanders do make a trade to upgrade their roster using Pageau, the hole he would leave behind would be massive.

But one free agent centerman still available could fill the hole to a tee. 

His name is Jonathan Toews.

The 35-year-old forward may not be the 60-point performer he was during his prime, but the ex-Chicago Blackhawk captain is a former Selke Trophy winner (2012-13) and, like Pageau, dominates in the circle, with a career face-off winning percentage of 53.7 percent. 

Not only that, but Toews was one of and still is one of the best penalty killers in the league. 

Health was the biggest concern with the three-time Stanley Cup champion, as Toews missed the entirety of the 2020-21 season and the first two months of the 2021-22 campaign due to long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome. 

What seemed to be a career-ending diagnosis, Toews battled back, playing 73 games in 2021-22. 

Although Toews played a career-low 53 games this past season, with just 15 goals and 16 assists, he was electric in the dot, winning a career-high 63.1 percent of his draws. 

On April 14, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson told Toews, a pending unrestricted free agent, that after 15 years in the Windy City, he would not get a contract extension, signaling the end of an era.

That night, he took his final lap inside the United Center as the 14-year captain received a well-deserved standing ovation. 

Following the game, Toews met with the media and discussed his future. 

"There's no timeline right now," Toews said after his final lap. "There's no doubt a moment like that is hard to top. I think it's something I'll let myself sink into with my family. The thought of playing for another team right now is so far in the back of my mind, especially after that moment. I always thought I'd retire a Blackhawks, and part of me still believes in that, so we'll see." (H/t Grand Forks Herald)

If Toews decides to keep playing and the Islanders decide to move Pageau, he seems like the only logical replacement. 

The cost for Toews would likely be league minimum ($775,000) plus bonuses like Zach Parise's last two deals with New York. 

The question is, would Toews want to play for the Islanders? 

You can listen and watch Stefen Rosner talk New York Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert.