The New York Islanders have five days to decide what to do before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. But a decision can't be made until there's more clarity on their injury situation.
The New York Islanders and the rest of the NHL have five days before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello just watched his team dominate the elite Boston Bruins 5-1 for a third-straight win and now needs to decide where he can improve the roster, if not stand pat and let this group ride things out.
But a decision can't be made until there's more clarity on their injury situation.
Right now, the Islanders have $134,784 million in available cap space, with defenseman Robert Bortuzzo and his $950,000, along with forward Hudson Fasching and his $775,000 on long-term injured reserve.
Bortuzzo is out indefinitely after suffering a setback as he tried to work his way back from a high ankle sprain.
Fasching is working his way back from a lower-body injury. He just returned from a three-game conditioning stint but remains on LTIR.
The Islanders would need to create additional cap space and a roster spot to activate him.
Defenseman Scott Mayfield missed his fourth straight game on Saturday night with a lower-body injury. When The Hockey News asked Islanders head coach Patrick Roy if Mayfield had been skating on his own, the answer was a no.
That's not a good sign for Mayfield, who has already missed 19 games this season with various injuries.
If Lamoriello believes that the defender, whom he signed to a seven-year extension with $24.5 million this summer, will miss more time, it likely makes sense for the Islanders to place him on LTIR.
While that would keep him out of the lineup until March 19 against the Carolina Hurricanes, it would also give the Islanders an additional $2.5 million in cap space.
On Saturday, forward Matt Martin suffered an injury in the third period, but there was no update on his status. The 34-year-old has missed 22 games this season with injuries.
If Martin does need to miss time, his going on LTIR would create an additional $1.5 million in cap space and a roster spot. That would keep Martin out of the lineup until March 29, when the Islanders battle the Florida Panthers.
The potential move would allow the Islanders to activate Fasching.
So, in theory, if Mayfield and Martin land on LTIR, the Islanders would have $5.135 million to play with come Friday's trade deadline. If they activate Fasching, that number drops to $4.36 million.
This means, with retention (up to 50 percent), they could double that, and that's before players go the other way in any potential deal.
Lamoriello's upcoming decisions change the path the Islanders can take.
Players can certainly be traded to create even more cap space and open up roster spots.
Still, a decision to place a player or two on LTIR could be the difference in standing pat, getting a depth forward or blue liner, or doing more to get a piece that could help the Islanders make the playoffs this season and play a part in the team's success for years to come.