Mathew Barzal would cost Toronto both Easton Cowan and Ben Danford and Leafs fans are torn

According to the Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch, the Islanders are open to moving Mathew Barzal, and he's the guy Toronto needs to call upon to elevate the lineup.

Barzal is a name who has a proven track record as a consistent playmaker who's averaged 38 assists for his career and just had 53 assists this past season. He's also a defensively sound pivot who can help give Toronto the playmaker they haven't had since Mitch Marner.

Barzal, 29, has always been a player who seems to have a knack for finding the open man. He exploded onto the scene with an 80-point rookie season which earned him the Calder, and since then he's been as reliable as can be for the Islanders.

But he's also reaching a point where he could be seen as a bit older when it comes to a rebuild or retool, and having not yet reached the pinnacle of the NHL, there could be some friction and it's what led to Bruce Garrioch hitting us with a stunning development.

Islanders are open to trading Mathew Barzal but it all depends on if any team can really afford him

The Ottawa Citizen reporter wrote that the Islanders are taking a look at possible trade destinations for Barzal, though a lot of that hinges on whether or not a team wants to take his enormous salary hit:

A league executive told The Citizen that the New York Islanders are exploring the market for forward Mathew Barzal. The club would like to clear some cap space, but it's a big financial commitment with four years left at $9.15 million through 2030-31.

This is coming off the news that captain Anders Lee is also likely to test the free agent market, so if there is a large turnover plan in Long Island, then it's becoming a little clearer as to why the team may be listening to offers.

Barzal's going to have a total of $45,750,000 paid to him from now until 2031, and that's a whole chunk of change for a player who will be 34 when all is said and done. But he does offer elite playmaking and is on the backend of his prime, so he likely still has a couple of very productive years before regression may kick in.

Toronto would love to have Barzal but the cost is going to make them wince

New York would love to get his numbers off the books but he isn't going to come cheap. Not only do Toronto and John Chayka have to sit with the fact that they are adding a player who takes up 41.5% of your available cap space - without even having sniffed the defensive side, but also the cost to get him anyways.

The Islanders want a first round pick, and that's basically a given for any medium-big name star nowadays.

But then comes the prospect stripping. Easton Cowan would likely be the first name viewed as part of a return, and I am sure they would love Ben Danford holding down the fort next to Matthew Schaefer.

Then there's a need for NHL-ready players or perhaps a goaltender to help replace an aging Semyon Varlamov, so add Dennis Hildeby into the mix as well.

Suddenly you're looking at four or five prime pieces for the chance to help Nylander. Is that worth it? It could be, but we've also seen Nylander drive the offensive side himself so does he really need as much help as say; Auston Matthews?

To put it simply, Toronto is giving up their chance for a new Core Four of McKenna, Cowan, Knies and Danford in order to give them a better shot at winning now.

Is that worth it? There's really only one way we're going to find out.

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