SB Nation Reacts Poll: Islanders should be deadline buyers, yes, but of whom?

The past few weeks polls from SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NHL, have focused on the trade deadline and the matter of what individual teams should do.

For the New York Islanders, there is little question — for most everyone — that the Isles need to be in buyer’s mode. Does that mean they should “go for it,” spending whatever it takes from the future to get reinforcement?

The way they are currently constructed, the fact they’re tied for first place in the division, and are still getting by with Leo Komarov as a first-line winger in the aftermath of Anders Lee’s injury...these all seem to point to the Isles being buyers.

But at least 6% of poll respondents disagree:

And what area should be targeted?

Well, things in goal are pretty good. The blueline has a very sturdy top six, but the team has been reluctant to rely on either Thomas Hickey or Sebastian Aho. At forward, it goes back to the Lee injury, and perhaps concerns about a lineup that sometimes features Komarov and Ross Johnston.

One of the recent Reacts polls reflects that deadline hierarchy of needs (and not needs):

So...no they shouldn’t be shopping for a goalie. Sure, they could see if there’s another D enforcement if one fits, and forwards? The common big names most mentioned are Kyle Palmieri and Taylor Hall, who are like opposite ends of the pricey forward targets out there, but have both been held from their respective lineups in preparation for an expected trade.

To be continued...

Confidence Poll

How are we feeling overall? Confident, but aware of the uncertainty from all of the above factors.

League-wide Perspective

The deadline this season appears to be a buyers’ market, at least according to fans around the country. A slight majority of NHL fans would rather have their favorite team act as a seller at the deadline.

That is in part due to the unique rules around this season. The NHL has installed a flat cap on the season, preventing teams from adding big contracts.

According to fans, more than three-fourths of fans think the flat cap will play a role in teams’ decisions to make a push for the playoffs.

This is SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NHL. Each week, SB Nation sends out questions to the most plugged in New York Islanders fans, and fans across the country. To vote in the Reacts surveys and have your voice heard each week, sign up here.