After trading Brock Nelson at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello elected to hold on to the rest of his veteran players, including centerman Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
There was interest in the 32-year-old centerman, but Lamoriello had no interest in moving him or others for just draft capital at that point in the season, with the Islanders still having their sights set on qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The good news for the Islanders is that Pageau's strong play since being elevated to the second-line centerman role after Nelson's departure has, if anything, increased his trade value.
The 32-year-old center has tallied 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 16 games since stepping into the second-line center role, highlighted by a three-assist performance against the Nashville Predators in a 7-6 overtime loss on Tuesday.
That's a 56-point pace for an 82-game season. Pageau's career high in points is 43, which he set in 2015-16 as a member of the Ottawa Senators.
While primarily viewed as a defensive forward, Pageau has showcased more offensive upside in this expanded role, proving he can offensively contribute with additional ice time.
You have to remember that, before Pageau came to the Islanders at the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline, he was the Senators' No. 2 centerman.
But, upon joining the Islanders, former head coach Barry Trotz used Pageau as a shutdown third-line center, stifling his offense. The Islanders don't make it to back-to-back Eastern Conference semi-finals without Pageau's decisive efforts.
Some may call Pageau a dime-a-dozen, with many centers, even those with a defensive mind, who can record 20 goals.
But, not only does Pageau have that defensive prowess and ability to be a top player on the penalty kill -- we know how bad the penalty kill has been this season, but it's been better in the second half -- Pageau is on pace to set a new career-high in the face-off dot.
Pageau has won 59.8 percent of his draws as of Wednesday, leading the NHL amongst centermen who have played in 60 or more games.
Although he is unlikely to open the 2025–26 campaign as the Islanders’ second-line center, his recent stretch will give the team options.
If the Islanders look to clear cap space in the offseason, Pageau is a prime candidate to be on the move.
Per sources, there were suitors for Pageau at the trade deadline, with the Edmonton Oilers very interested. But, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello did not have interest in retaining salary.
His $5 million annual average through the 2025-26 season is market value for players of his caliber, and he could yield a solid return if moved at the right time following this stretch.
Pageau does have a 16-team no-trade list.
The third line, center role could then be filled by Cal Ritchie – the main piece the Islanders received in the Nelson trade.
If Pageau does not get moved, the Islanders will proceed with confidence in the veteran’s upside.
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Michael Ostrower contributed to this story.