New York Islanders Rumored to Have Made Top Defenseman Available on the Trade Market
The New York Islanders are rumored to have made one of their top defensemen available on the trade market.
In Long Island, the Islanders have been surprising many people following a very tough start to the season. The team was so bad earlier this year, that fans stopped going to games. That issue was even called out by star player Matt Barzal on the bench during a game.
However, lately, the Isles have been firing from all cylinders, winning eight of their last ten games, and beating top teams such as the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights.
Now, the organization is in a good position in the wild card race in the Eastern Conference, only four points away from the Detroit Red Wings at the 2nd spot.
This could force general manager Lou Lamoriello to move key pieces of his lineup at the deadline.
Brock Nelson, who's set to be a free agent at the end of the season is notably involved in plenty of rumors.
Here's what Jim Biringer wrote on RG.org:
"Well, the team is in the playoff hunt. This is not a team that is building for the future, if you will, at this point, with where they're at right now. You have to hold on to Brock Nelson for a little while longer,» said a source close to the situation. «Why would management want to throw a grenade into the room and trade Nelson with the injuries that they're dealing with on a team that for the past month has been one of the best teams in the league record-wise."
However, another one of the Isles' players set to hit the free agent market next summer is rumored to be available: the standout defenseman Noah Dobson.
Currently playing the final season of his three-year, $4M AAV contract, Dobson could be involved in a package to land a top player.
Biringer wrote he could be included in a package deal to land Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks:
"He is available for trade, and that is a piece the team is willing to part with in order to get that scoring presence they have wanted for three seasons,» a source confirmed.
«It would not just be Dobson in the deal,» a source indicated. «There would have to be more money in terms of players going back to Vancouver for the $11.6 million to balance out. The Canucks might have to retain the deal too."
«It would not just be Dobson in the deal,» a source indicated. «There would have to be more money in terms of players going back to Vancouver for the $11.6 million to balance out. The Canucks might have to retain the deal too."
If Dobson were to be traded, it would be a massive change in the team's long-term plans going forward. It'll be interesting to follow the team with the deadline coming up.
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