Emotions aside, there aren't many fan arguments against the New York Islanders retooling at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.
Not to beat a dead horse, but the Islanders could cash in tremendously by selling pending unrestricted free agents Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
Both reached the 20-goal mark on Tuesday night in their 3-2 win against the league's best Winnipeg Jets.
However, we know the Islanders aren't going to rebuild fully--never go full rebuild--given the number of long-term contracts rostered, with a few more coming on the backend.
The Islanders plan on being competitive in 2025-26.
The fan base hopes that if both are dealt, either the assets brought in can be flipped for goal scoring or the Islanders will have enough cap space to be true players in free agency.
However, a few players on the roster will be heavily relied upon to pick up the slack.
Let's start with Simon Holmstrom, who has emerged as a top-six player after breaking into the league in more of a bottom-six role. He has 14 goals with 18 assists for 32 points in 54 games. That's a 21-goal, 27-point pace.
But, in a full season playing a top-six role next year, with, hopefully, a better power play, there's no reason to think that Holmstrom can reach the 25-goal mark for the first time in his career.
Maxim Tsyplakov was supposed to be a goal scorer coming over from the KHL, but the production hasn't been there, yet. The 26-year-old has seven goals and 19 assists in 56 games, which equates to a 10-goal, 27-assist pace.
Given the talent we've seen, and head coach Patrick Roy's belief that Tsyplakov is a top-six talent, they'll have to hope that the goals come.
There's no question that Tsyplakov can be a 20-goal scorer in this league.
When the Islanders inked Anthony Duclair to a four-year deal worth $3 million annually on July 1, they expected more than just five goals in 31 games.
The Islanders & Their Anthony Duclair Dilemma
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/how-should-islanders-handle-defensive-surplus-at-2025-nhl-trade-deadline">New York Islanders</a> have a decision to make with forward <a href="https://x.com/stefen_rosner/status/1896600510326841844">Anthony Duclair</a>.
Yes, he's been battling a groin injury since Game 5 of the regular season, but that's not an excuse that holds complete weight. He entered this season scoring 20 or more goals in three of the last four years and they'll need much more from him in what he hopes to be a healthier 2025-26 season.
If they remain in their roles next season, you can look to other depth players, like Kyle MacLean (three goals) and Pierre Engvall (four goals), to step up as well.
The Islanders will also need defenseman Noah Dobson to get back to being an offensive catalyst, with just six goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 50 games, after a 70-point 2023-24 season (10 goals, 60 assists).
Noah Dobson & Islanders: Agent Switch Signals Key Contract Talks Ahead
Noah Dobson has changed agents.
Filling Nelson and Palmieri's roles, if need be, will be challenging, but there are players on the roster who, if they play to their expected level, should help counteract the potential losses.
Because, let's be real. If they don't step up, collectively, the Islanders will have a slim chance at being a playoff contender next season.
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