Islanders' Roster Uncertainty Has Maple Leafs Preparing for a Possible Trade
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
The New York Islanders are currently figuring out what to do with their veterans as they look to potentially trade them off, as the Maple Leafs get ready to strike.
While they aren't doing too bad this season, sporting a 4-3-1 record, the New York Islanders are a team that certainly feel like they are trying to figure out which direction they want to go.
They have a roster full of veterans but have phenom Matthew Schaefer to lead their eventual youth as we see names like Cole Eiserman, Viktor Eklund and Calum Ritchie.
Islanders Looking To Part With Veterans If Season Flounders
But they need to make room for them eventually, which means a trade is necessary for GM Mathieu Darche, and according to NHL Insider David Pagnotta; he's doing his homework.
Speaking on the Sekeres and Price Show on Thursday, the insider explained that Darche is currently gathering as much intel as possible in preparation for a deal in case things go sour:
For Mathieu Darche, it's just collecting information right now and then exploring those later on in the season; both with Pageau and their captain Anders Lee. You wanna see where the season goes.
If the Islanders are sticking around a playoff spot come the trade deadline, then much like the Calgary Flames last year with Nazem Kadri, are less likely to make a deal to get rid of two key pieces of a potential Cup push.
However with how bizarre the NHL season has already been thus far, anything can happen so teams have to be prepared for anything; which includes the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs Have Perfect Chance To Add Top-Six Piece
All the questions surrounding whether or not the Maple Leafs have enough firepower to get through the season, if the Islanders are selling then Brad Treliving has to entertain some type of deal.
If they want to acquire Pageau, that would be a cheaper option albeit one that doesn't offer the same level of offense as Lee, although is more than capable of giving you 15-20 goals.
His real benefit lies in his physicality, incredible face-off acumen, and elite defense; he's been a Top-20 Selke finalist three times but still has 371 points in 805 games (161 goals, 210 assists).
He is a free agent this summer and makes only $5-million, so facilitating a deal won't take too much work; especially if Toronto can find a way out from under David Kampf's deal.
Lee would be a much more reliable offensive option however is 35 years old, so age is a factor; however he hasn't really slowed down too much recently.
He does have 515 points in 849 games (291 goals, 224 assists) and has been remarkably resilient in his career, only having one season where he missed the majority of the season.
Also a free agent, Lee makes $7-million so he's a bit pricier and does hold a 15-team no trade list, so it's very likely that the Maple Leafs are on there.
But if not, then Brad Treliving needs to figure out which pieces he wants to part with because it's not too often you get the chance to not only find exactly what you're looking for, but a team willing to sell.
If Toronto truly wants to bring about an identity change, this is one of the best ways to go about doing it.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 28 | 255 ANSWERS Islanders' Roster Uncertainty Has Maple Leafs Preparing for a Possible Trade Should the Toronto Maple Leafs go after J-G Pageau or Anders Lee from the New York Islanders? | ||
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