It is no secret that Dwayne Roloson is likely to be moved before the deadline. It is also no secret that the Islanders need a veteran winger to be JT's on ice mentor. Doug Weight was supposed to be that guy, but it seems pretty clear that his career is over.

Most of the obvious candidates for the job have NMCs and NTCs. There is one promising exception: Brooks Laich of the Washington Capitals. Brooks Laich is still young at 27, he has six years of experience, and he is more than big and tough enough to watch JT's back.

From the standpoint of a trade, he is, like Roli, a UFA at the end of the season, almost a dollar for dollar match cap-wise, and does not have a NMC or NTC. It would simply be a matter of McPhee and Snow shaking hands. Also, more than one writer in more than one publication has mentioned that the Caps might want Roli. Getting him to be JT's wingman would be of greater value than even a late first round pick would be--assuming that anyone would offer that for Roli.