Islanders Beat Bruins 5-1 EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-wild-card-race-washington-capitals-new-jersey-devils-pittsburgh-penguins-flyers-lightning] general manager Lou Lamoriello has four days to figure out ways to improve his roster ahead of Friday's 3 PM NHL Trade Deadline. His Islanders have won three straight games and are within striking distance of third place in the Metropolitan Division and, due to games in hand, the second wild-card spot. The salary cap situation isn't ideal, with just $135,000 at the moment, with more possibly coming their way depending on the latest information regarding a few injured parties. If Lamoriello is going to add, he'll need to move a contract or two, depending on the type of player he has his eyes on. The likely add(s) for the Islanders, given their cap situation, is depth, which is something a team can't have enough of in a push for the postseason. Lamoriello "doesn't" do rentals, but given the market and the Islanders' cap situation, don't rule that out as a possibility this trade deadline season. Players that the Islanders could move in most, if not, all of these deals is 23-year-old Oliver Wahlstrom who is a pending restricted free agent who is arbitration eligible. Veteran Jean-Gabriel Pageau and his $5 million cap hit through 2024-25 could also be another one on the move. The Islanders will need to get creative to pull off any deals this deadline season, but let's dive into 10 names that could be a fit. JORDAN EBERLE, RW Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzgyNjQxMzE5MjU3MTE3/usatsi_22628890.jpg] The former Islanders forward and current pending unrestricted free agent spent four seasons with the Islanders from 2017 to 2021 before the Seattle Kraken claimed him at the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. It was a move criticized at the time, but could there be a reunion in the works? The 33-year-old has 14 goals and 21 assists for a Kraken team that sits nine points from a wild-card spot. Eberle carries a cap hit of $5.5 million, and the Kraken have enough cap space -- $4.5 million -- to retain salary. Eberle does have a modified no-trade clause of 16 teams. Potential line: Barzal-Horvat-Eberle VLADIMIR TARASENKO, RW Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NjY3Nzc4MDU2MDcwNDc1/usatsi_22270731.jpg] The Islanders could have had their eye on a handful of Ottawa Senators last week when scouts were there for back-to-back games. They need scoring, and although Tarasenko isn't the elite scorer he once was with the St. Louis Blues, he has 17 goals and 24 assists in 57 games for Ottawa. Tarasenko did say late last week that he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to a Stanley Cup contender, and it's likely he doesn't view the Islanders as that. But you never know, especially if a potential deal comes with term. The 32-year-old carries a cap hit of $5 million, and Ottawa's retaining salary depends on the return, given that they have under $16,000 in available cap space. Potential line: Barzal-Horvat-Tarasenko ANTHONY DUCLAIR, RW Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NTczODEwMDc3MjE0MDEx/usatsi_22044056.jpg] Patrick Roy has been preaching the importance of speed since he arrived on Long Island, and Duclair certainly offers that. The pending unrestricted free agent spent two seasons playing under Roy with the Quebec Remparts and is versatile enough to play either wing position. In 55 games this season, the 28-year-old forward has 14 goals and nine assists, with a cap hit of $3 million. It seems like a perfect fit for New York, who could play him anywhere in their lineup. Potential lines: Barzal-Horvat-Duclair, Duclair-MacLean-Clutterbuck FRANK VATRANO, LW Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzgyNjY4NDMxMjM4MTcz/usatsi_22490036.jpg] The 29-year-old Anaheim Ducks forward is having some season, with 29 goals and 19 assists in 61 games. His name has been atop the deadline acquisition board the entire season, and having term certainly changes things. Another versatile winger, Vatrano, carries a cap hit of $3.65 million through the 2024-25 season. Vatrano is in the midst of a career season, which likely means a team will be overpaying for his skill set. A speedy forward with a lethal shot is hard to find, so if this is the kind of player Vatrano is now, it may be worth the assets. Potential lines: Vatrano-Horvat-Barzal, Vatrano-Pageau-Palmieri JAKOB CHYCHRUN, D Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzgyNjgzMTk1MTg4NzI4/usatsi_22614466.jpg] The Islanders showed interest in Chychrun season before Arizona shipped him to the Senators. The 25-year-old two-way defenseman has nine goals and 22 assists in 59 games this season and carries a cap hit of $4.6 million through 2024-25. A natural left defenseman, he can play both sides. Given the Islanders' blue line, Chychrun could serve as the final piece to the puzzle. The Senators aren't forced to move him since he isn't a pending UFA, and it could be more likely that if he does get dealt, it will come during the 2024 NHL Draft. Chychrun has a modified no-trade clause of 10 teams. Potential pair: Jakob Chychrun-Mike Reilly NOAH HANIFIN, D Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzgyNzAwMzc1MDU3NDM3/usatsi_22614170.jpg] With the Calgary Flames already trading center Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Chris Tanev, one has to think that Hanifin is the next one on the move. The pending unrestricted free agent carries a cap hit of $4.95 million with a modified no-trade clause of eight teams. With 11 goals and 24 assists in 60 games this season, Hanifin would be a strong addition to the Islanders blue line, providing the offense but also the strong shutdown defense Roy's staff is looking for. Potential pair: Noah Hanifin-Mike Reilly ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER, LW Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0Njc0NjQ2MjQ1NjQ3Njkx/usatsi_22168233.jpg] On top of scoring one of the biggest goals for the Islanders over the last decade, scoring the overtime winner to force a Game 7 in Tampa back in 2021, could there be a reunion with Beauvillier? After the Islanders dealt him in a package to the Vancouver Canucks last January, Beauvillier now finds himself in Chicago. A pending UFA, with a cap hit of $4.15 million, the Blackhawks would no question have to and would likely be willing to retain salary. With four goals and 10 assists in 43 games, Beauvillier has struggled to be the offensive player he once showed to be, but as mentioned, Roy preaches speed, and maybe he could rediscover his game back on the island. Potential lines: Beauvillier-Pageau-Palmieri, Beauvillier-MacLean-Clutterbuck JASON ZUCKER, LW Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzgyNzIwMjM5MjgxNjU2/usatsi_22620023.jpg] Every playoff team needs grit, and the Arizona Coyotes forward certainly fits that mold. In 51 games this season, the pending UFA has nine goals and 16 assists and carries a cap hit of $5.3 million after scoring 21 goals with 21 assists in his final season in Pittsburgh (2022-23). Zucker has made the trip to the playoffs eight times and has a playoff overtime dagger on his resume. The Coyotes have over $14 million in cap space, so retention is on the table. Potential lines: Zucker-MacLean-Clutterbuck SHANE PINTO, C If the Islanders are set on keeping Brock Nelson as the top-line left winger, going out and getting a No. 2 center seems like something that would be high on their priority list. Pinto, a Long Island native of Franklin Square, fits the bill. The 23-year-old forward was suspended 41 games for sports gambling, but since returning, he's been on fire with six goals and 10 assists in 18 games. The problem with Pinto, outside of Ottawa likely wanting to build around him, is that he's a pending restricted free agent with no arbitration rights, signing a one-year deal worth $775,000 to be able to play this season. Unless Pinto demands a trade or the Senators get blown away with an offer, this would be a challenging add for New York, but one that would certainly be beneficial. Potential line: Lee-Pinto-Palmieri CASEY MITTELSTADT, C Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzgyNzc1NTM2OTg1MTE3/usatsi_22679378.jpg] The 25-year-old centerman is an intriguing name that could be on his way out of Buffalo. In 62 games this season, Mittlestadt, the eighth overall pick in 2017, has 14 goals and 33 assists but is a pending RFA that is being shopped. He is arbitration-eligible and carries a cap hit of $2.5 million. If the Islanders want Nelson to remain on the top line, Mittlestadt could become the next No. 2 center for the Islanders. Potential lines: Lee-Mittlestadt-Palmieri TOP STORIES
