The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline is upon us. Will the New York Islanders bolster their backend?
The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline is upon us. Will the New York Islanders bolster their backend?
After defeating the San Jose Sharks 7-2 on Thursday night for their fifth-straight victory, the New York Islanders woke up just two points out of a wild-card spot.
While the third-place Philadelphia Flyers remain four points up on the Islanders with two more games played, the Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the Calgary Flames 6-3.
That means the Islanders are now two points back of the second wild card with two games in hand and two points back of the top wild card Detroit Red Wings, with a game in hand.
With the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline today at 3 PM ET, will Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello make a move?
There are reasons to stand pat, given how hot this group has been since head coach Patrick Roy altered his lines on Feb. 26. They're 5-0-0 with the line changes, outscoring opponents 24-10 over that span.
But the Islanders do have enough cap space, with retention, to add depth, especially on the backend.
With defenseman Scott Mayfield on long-term injured reserve with surgery a possibility, forward Hudson Fasching being activated off LTIR, and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo returning very soon, the Islanders will have $1.54 million in available cap space.
That number is more like $3 million and changes with 50 percent retention.
There's no reason for the Islanders to trade their first-round pick for a rental or even a player with a long-term contract unless it's someone who can truly make a difference long-term.
But getting a solid NHL defenseman should be in the cards, given how thin the blue line is.
Yes, Bortuzzo does fill the Mayfield hole, but the 34-year-old is coming back from a high ankle sprain and has already suffered one setback.
Sebastian Aho has played quite well alongside Mike Reilly and did show well in last year's postseason, but Aho doesn't fill the Mayfield role and is playing on his off-side.
Young left-side defenseman Samuel Bolduc hasn't played since Jan. 27 and was just in Bridgeport for a conditioning stint to boost his confidence. He's a young player with a high upside, but someone with more experience couldn't hurt. That doesn't mean Aho can't be effective, but the Islanders do need a shot-blocking blue liner to bolster their penalty kill, if they can add one.
Young left-side defenseman Samuel Bolduc hasn't played since Jan. 27 and was just in Bridgeport for a conditioning stint to boost his confidence. He's a young player with a high upside, but someone with more experience couldn't hurt.
Here are five defensemen who could be on the move during the trade deadline and may be fit on Long Island:
Matt Dumba: The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman is a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of $3.9 million ($1.95 M at 50 percent retained). He's not the strongest puck transitioner or offensive force, with four goals and six assists in 58 games. But he's a physical defenseman, sitting with the 11-most hits in the NHL amongst blueliners (150).
Nikita Zaitsev: Acquired for future considerations by the Chicago Blackhawks last season, the 32-year-old defenseman isn't a game-changing player at $4.5 million ($2.25 M with 50 percent retention) but provides that NHL depth with eight years of NHL experience. The pending UFA, who has a modified no-trade clause of 10 teams, has two goals and five assists in 26 games this season and owns a +2 plus/- on a team that's allowed the third most goals in the NHL.
Tyson Barrie: While his value has taken a big hit since joining the Nashville Predators last deadline, the 32-year-old pending UFA still provides value given his skating and power-play potential. He doesn't seem part of Nashville's plans going forward, and at $4,5 million ($2.25 M with 50 percent retention), he could be a strong addition to Roy's mobile backend. He has one goal and 11 assists in 35 games.
Mario Ferraro: If Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello is looking for a player with the term, the 25-year-old left-shot defenseman is on the books through 2025-26 with a cap hit of $3.25 million ($1.625 M with 50 percent retention). He's sixth among NHL defensemen with 163 blocks and has one goal and 13 assists in 58 games.
Jakob Chychrun: The Ottawa Senators have made it clear that they aren't looking to trade the 25-year-old defenseman at the deadline, but if Lamoriello can find a way, this move would have the Islanders backend set for years to come. On the books through 2024-25 at $4.6 million annually ($2.3 M with 50 percent retention), he is a defenseman who can play both sides, produce offensively with nine goals and 22 assists in 61 games, and has no issue putting the body on the line with 114 blocks. He does have a modified no-trade clause of 10 teams.
If the Islanders are comfortable with their defense corps, they could look for a depth piece on the offensive side of the puck.
The Islanders have Fasching and Oliver Wahlstrom on the NHL roster, and Julien Gauthier is waiting in the minors.
With the offense going off in each passing game, it likely makes it harder and harder for Lamoriello to want to touch his forward group.
If he sees a forward who can help the Islanders now and in the future, he won't hesitate, and he shouldn't.
But, again, the focus should be on the defense, given their injury luck this season and how integral the backend is in Roy's system.