Lighthouse Hockey - New York Islanders at the 2017 NHL Trade DeadlineLighthouse Hockey: Try to fixate on something else.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50729/lhh-fav.png2017-03-01T23:10:11-05:00http://www.lighthousehockey.com/rss/stream/145364372017-03-01T23:10:11-05:002017-03-01T23:10:11-05:00Interpreting New York Islanders Trade Deadline Silence: What of 2017-18?
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<img alt="Tampa Bay Lightning v New York Islanders - Game Four" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DNzaISSbZHR4CZwpuF97ZGucHkU=/0x135:3006x2139/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53492691/528694264.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“Yeah, well NEXT year we’re both gonna be ‘meh’.” | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>“Enjoy the silence...”</p> <p id="Ds8nob">Surfing sour fan reactions to at least half of the NHL’s 30 teams’ trade deadline moves (or non-moves), I am again familiar with the drill: some are ticked their team didn’t do enough, some are ticked their team risked too much, some are ticked their team did nothing.</p>
<p id="9CLqu3">Though others are in that last group, the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> are the only team that <em>literally did nothing</em>.</p>
<p id="o0nLA1">Which, I mean, that’s a choice. A few teams are clear favorites or near-contenders that were obliged to add what they could. Other teams are clear sellers who were obliged to salvage what they could of a lost season.</p>
<p id="xJ2r9f">The Islanders are in the middle, not good enough to make foolish “go for it” short-term bets but not bad enough to tell their team and fans “we officially give up on the 2016-17 season.”</p>
<p id="FRMnj8">Some of that last group made minor, inexpensive moves, like the <a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a> adding <span>Jarome Iginla</span> (who has shunned the Isles in the past, and would only move to a contender) or the <a href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a> adding <span>Thomas Vanek</span> (yeah, um, been there done that).</p>
<h4 id="IxfEsM">It’s Not About This Year</h4>
<p id="KI2OtN">So personally, I’m not disappointed the Isles did nothing to improve this year’s roster. I am disappointed, however, that they did nothing to improve their chances of upgrading next year’s roster.</p>
<p id="AYTXSu">You see, the Islanders, as we noted last summer when they signed <span>Casey Cizikas</span> and <span>Andrew Ladd</span> for serious money, are very close to the cap. And the contracts that get them so close to the cap continue next year.</p>
<p id="TSnln2">In other words, a team that is not good enough to be more than a playoff bubble team is currently obliged to return virtually the same roster next year.</p>
<p id="qdikBn">This is our concern, Dude.</p>
<p id="FBKzFP">Granted, it’s clear that by not seeking rentals, general manager Garth Snow <em>was</em> thinking of next year. <span>Matt Duchene</span> and any other potential trade targets would clearly be moves for now and the future (i.e.: after July 1, when <span>John Tavares</span> can please-please-we-hope re-sign).</p>
<p id="61dOQM">In a <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-gm-garth-snow-decides-to-stay-the-course-at-trade-deadline-1.13196498">must-read at Newsday on Snow’s thoughts</a> on the deadline, <span>Joshua Ho-Sang</span>, and <span>Jaroslav Halak</span>, Snow said:</p>
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<p id="G5Fl0b">“We weren’t in the rental market because we like our guys better, the ones we have coming back from injury and Josh Ho-Sang...”</p>
<p id="r3deqR">[...]</p>
<p id="Dgw2sv">The Islanders were after bigger fish, the likes of <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> center Matt Duchene or <a href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Lightning</a> center Tyler Johnson. But the prices for such players were too rich for anyone’s liking and no players of consequence changed hands.</p>
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<p id="WOXRu2">And hey, that’s fine. Even with Halak — whom <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14768510/new-york-islanders-trade-rumors-jaroslav-halak-berube">I believe they should have on their roster now</a> — I get why they wouldn’t trade him unless a team was taking his whole contract. There’s no point in parting with your best goalie insurance if your cap flexibility does not increase. </p>
<p id="0xLfpv">But there is the matter of the cap issues in 2017-18. </p>
<h4 id="MaLNPP">Flat Cap, Expansion Draft Saves the Day?</h4>
<p id="UsXoVf">Next season’s salary cap is expected to remain flat. The Islanders will <a href="https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/islanders">not be losing any meaningful contracts</a> through unrestricted free agency. (No, Stephen Gionta’s league-minimum contract does not count.) Calvin de Haan and <span>Adam Pelech</span> are restricted free agents who will need new contracts, the former surely garnering a raise.</p>
<p id="Qp0hPX">And no matter what <span>Doug Weight</span> or a future coach’s impact, this roster is not good enough to compete for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs">Stanley Cup</a>.</p>
<p id="MyfDle">So they will need flexibility to improve it, even if you project <span>Ryan Pulock</span>, Joshua Ho-Sang and <span>Mathew Barzal</span> on next year’s roster. (Keep in mind, a good player will be lost via the expansion draft.)</p>
<p id="1k8g4H">Which means they will need more cap room than they currently have. Maybe they swing a sweet deal with old colleague George McPhee to take one of their pricier contracts in the expansion draft. Maybe they do something else smart and productive in the summer.</p>
<p id="tLVrAS">But we saw at this trade deadline, for example, Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman launder <span>Mark Streit</span> from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to carve himself some cap space by getting rid of Valtteri Filppula’s $5 million cap hit for next season. </p>
<p id="W5lFQw">Granted, Yzerman is in a more overt sell-off mode — his team is two points behind the Isles today, FYI — but the Lightning are an example of a team that used the deadline to, if not improve this season, at least increase the odds for improvement next season.</p>
<p id="gqPKH5">The Islanders didn’t do that; maybe they were more focused on moonshots like Duchene. But much more than missing out on a rental, that’s the (non) move that leaves me wondering.</p>
<p id="JAUoWg">This team needs a plan to compete with its Metro superiors next season. We’re going to have to wait till summer to see if they have one.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/3/1/14786542/new-york-islanders-trade-deadline-cap-analysisDominik2017-03-01T16:23:05-05:002017-03-01T16:23:05-05:00Trade Deadline Wrap Up: Isles sit out a quiet day of moves
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<img alt="Tampa Bay Lightning v New York Islanders - Game Four" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5bEdscx5ChkjngscuqPtAWZgiko=/0x733:3176x2850/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53487057/528669166.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Welp. | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>[tumbleweed.gif]</p> <p id="m1rGlf">On the final day for trades among NHL teams, and with good players on bad clubs reportedly available, the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a>’ big deadline acquisition ended up being one of their own prospects.</p>
<p id="MK7xsf">GM Garth Snow made no significant moves on the day, including not moving goalie <span>Jaroslav Halak</span> who was probably the most likely card he could play. The team’s <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14772800/islanders-what-happened-josh-ho-sang-first-call-up-bridgeport">complicated call-up</a> of forward <span>Joshua Ho-Sang</span> - the<a href="http://www.soundtigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22700&ATCLID=211510032"> AHL Rookie of the Month</a>, by the way - was about the only transaction of note for the Islanders.</p>
<p id="mf0zJP">If you waited all day in anticipation of <span>Matt Duchene</span>, <span>Jordan Eberle</span>, <span>Radim Vrbata</span> or anyone else coming to Brooklyn as the Islanders geared up for a run at the playoffs, I’m sorry for your loss. Even though I didn’t think a big move was in the offing, I’m surprised Snow didn’t make some kind of depth move with his team just a point out of the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Not even a <span>Tyler Kennedy</span> this year.</p>
<p id="EZcCnE">While a few of the teams battling the Islanders for that berth made their own deals, only Florida’s acquisition of <span>Thomas Vanek</span> from Detroit (for former Ranger Dylan McIlrath and a fourth rounder) really counts as a needle-moving move. After the buzzer, the <a href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Maple Leafs</a> picked up battle-tested <span>Eric Fehr</span> from the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> (to go along with <span>Brian Boyle</span>) and the <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a> grabbed forward <span>Drew Stafford</span> from Winnipeg. The <a href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Lightning</a> had <span>Mark Streit</span> for about an hour, first acquiring him from the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Flyers</a> for <span>Valtteri Filppula</span> then flipping him to Pittsburgh for a fourth round pick. Ottawa had already made its moves earlier, taking <span>Alexandre Burrows</span> from Vancouver and <span>Viktor Stalberg</span> from Carolina. </p>
<p id="RdOMfL">As disappointing as the Islanders’ day may have been, the entire deadline was mostly a dud across the NHL. Nashville getting <span>P.A. Parenteau</span> for a sixth rounder probably counts as one of the savvier moves. I love <span>Jarome Iginla</span>, but I don’t know what he’s going to bring to Los Angeles at this point. And the <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Canadiens</a> decided to goon it up like the Syracuse Bulldogs, picking up <span>Steve Ott</span>, <span>Dwight King</span> and large Andreas Martinsen. Seriously, it kinda sucked.</p>
<aside id="5iqO9B"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Every trade completed at the 2017 NHL trade deadline","url":"http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2017/2/9/14559012/nhl-trades-list-rumors-deadline-2017-tracker"}]}'></div></aside><p id="iNOBz7">And so, as expected, the Islanders roster for tomorrow night in Dallas looks much like it did on Saturday night in Columbus. Except Ho-Sang is there. See?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/66jhosang">@66jhosang</a> has joined the team in Dallas. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> <a href="https://t.co/FuFzZc5hHh">pic.twitter.com/FuFzZc5hHh</a></p>— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/837017092482347010">March 1, 2017</a>
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<p id="cbwtc4">Eventually, they’ll get back <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span>, <span>Shane Prince</span> and <span>Travis Hamonic</span> from injuries (<span>Casey Cizikas</span>, too. But it’ll be a while). Either Snow thinks that’s enough to make the playoffs, or the prices he was hearing weren’t to his liking or the packages he was offering weren’t to his colleague’s likings. We’ll have to wait until the dust settles to find out. In the end, the team still retains their prospects and draft picks, which isn’t the worst thing.</p>
<p id="5orKHZ">Colorado GM <span>Joe Sakic</span> decided to hold onto Duchene and <span>Gabriel Landeskog</span>, and he could hunt for better deals at the draft. We’ve heard rumors that the Islanders had made competitive offers matching Sakic’s high prices, but we don’t know for sure. Sakic’s only move for his league-worst club was getting prospect <span>Sven Andrighetto</span> from Montreal and sending Iginla to the <a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Kings</a> for a conditional fourth rounder that could turn into <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/837005454677065738">absolutely nothing at all</a> if he doesn’t re-sign in L.A. There might have been some legal weed action in the <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> war room today.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sakic: "I don't have to make any major moves." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Avs?src=hash">#Avs</a></p>— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BComptonNHL/status/837045623853576195">March 1, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Avs said they wouldn't be pressured into deadline deal unless their prices were met. Their prices were not met, so off to off season we go.</p>— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/837029999924416517">March 1, 2017</a>
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<p id="TyCMM9">Like Sakic, <a href="https://www.fiveforhowling.com/">Coyotes</a> GM John Chayka chose to hold onto possible rentals Vrbata and <span>Shane Doan</span>.</p>
<p id="5ZUKjD">Not moving the AHL-constrained Halak is a little surprising, but given his $3.5 million cap hit, $4.7 and $5 million salaries for this and next season and the fact that, historically, the Islanders aren’t a team that retains salary, it does make some sense. Maybe - and this is just me talking - another lackluster performance or two from Jean-Francois Berube brings Halak back up from Bridgeport. Or they wait until the season ends to just buy him out or hope he ends up in Las Vegas via the expansion draft.</p>
<p id="M5fcAV">I don’t know what kind of message this lack of movement says to the players. The Islanders weren’t in Win Now Mode like the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a> or <a href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Wild</a> are, and the likelihood of a rental was low to begin with. Maybe they figure they got this far on their own, they can finish the job and make the playoffs and worry about next season next season.</p>
<p id="JUIzEb">For us, it says we’ll have to wait - once again - for the Islanders to make a big league-wide splash. If we’re lucky, maybe he’ll be wearing No. 66 in white tomorrow night.</p>
<p id="8zuBYv"></p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/3/1/14782196/islanders-2017-nhl-trade-deadline-wrap-up-ho-sang-no-duchene-garth-snowDan Saraceni2017-03-01T07:30:02-05:002017-03-01T07:30:02-05:00[Bits] Trade Deadline Open Thread: Duchene or Not Duchene?
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<img alt="New York Rangers v New York Islanders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qsjz0e4rq_necl6LD-fbWoJFv9c=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53472301/612682890.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Who’s in, who’s out? | Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Here we go. Everybody’s on the clock.</p> <p id="g0vn0S">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-trade-rumors">NHL Trade Deadline</a> is finally upon us. By 3 pm Eastern today (but really not), all 31 general managers will have had their final chances to augment their teams from outside their organizations. Some are gonna strike gold and and some are gonna strike out.</p>
<p id="5ts0lK">What does today <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14772396/new-york-islanders-at-the-2017-nhl-trade-deadline">mean for the Islanders</a>? Could be something, could be nothing, could be something in between. Will they finally bag <span>Matt Duchene</span>, the biggest name among forwards that’s <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14763824/new-york-islanders-trade-matt-duchene-colorado-avalanche">probably definitely available</a>? Will they finally trade <span>Jaroslav Halak</span> and end that <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14768510/new-york-islanders-trade-rumors-jaroslav-halak-berube">star-crossed saga</a>? <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14701590/islanders-trade-deadline-targets-duchene-landeskog-eberle-sharp-vrbata-duclair">Anybody else out there</a> worth taking a shot on? Sure. Will they? Uh...</p>
<p id="JTHYX4">My personal feeling is that the Islanders are going to end today with more or less the same roster they had going into it. There’s no pressure on <span>Joe Sakic</span> to move Duchene now if he doesn’t want to, and in fact he might end up getting more at the draft. I don’t expect more than a pick coming back for Halak, if even that much. And I don’t think this is the year for Garth Snow to swap a few prospects to jolt what’s still a pretty-good-but-not-great bubble team.</p>
<p id="GCWXpi">But that’s me. Maybe I’m just trying to protect myself against disappointment. It’s entirely possible. But so is trading for this year’s <span>Tyler Kennedy</span>.</p>
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<h3 id="pQHR7O">So where can you watch all the fireworks?</h3>
<p id="4gvOx1">Sportsnet’s 13-hour <a href="http://media.sportsnet.ca/2017/02/sportsnet-delivers-13-5-hours-of-breaking-news-and-analysis-with-hockey-central-trade-deadline-march-1/">Hockey Central Trade Deadline</a> show starts at 8 am on Sportsnet and Sportsnet Now, and will be streaming on <a href="http://Sportsnet.ca">Sportsnet.ca</a>. For early birds, the coverage starts on Sportsnet radio at 5 am.</p>
<p id="hlW3j6">Hockey Central will also be aired on <em>NHL Network</em>.</p>
<p id="edw9Re">Sportsnet’s competition TSN will also start their trademark <a href="http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre-airs-live-wednesday-on-tsn-1.683343">#TradeCentre coverage</a> at 8 am with a Preview Show starting at 7:30 am. The 10-hour broadcast will also be streaming on their site, <a href="http://TSN.ca">TSN.ca</a>.</p>
<p id="g1XcPw">Needless to say, there are tons and tons of analysts, players, coaches and executives all on hand to lend their expertise. Each network has everyone slotted into different rooms or sections focusing on different aspects of the deals. Good luck finding one you like.</p>
<p id="6jykuB">Finally, SBN’s own Travis Hughes and Pat Iversen will be doing a Facebook Live event <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SBNationNHL/">you can watch here</a>. They’re good dudes. Be nice.</p>
<p id="nT69NO">Of course, you can stay right here for some fun conversation and therapy with fellow Islanders fans. <strong>And please remember: Be happy, be sad, be mad, be excited, be bummed, or be anything else you want. But above all be respectful to others and keep everything cool, okay? Let’s have fun out there.</strong></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="h96fet">
<h3 id="JdSgUM">Daily Bits [abridged]</h3>
<p id="8MfjoG">Meanwhile, here’s stuff to read while you’re waiting...</p>
<ul>
<li id="b3LQVx">
<span>Joshua Ho-Sang</span> is here! Wait...he was here just a minute ago I swear. Michael Fornabaio has the best breakdown of how and why for his recall (and subsequent reassignment) yesterday. [<a href="http://www.ctpost.com/soundtigers/article/Ho-Sang-up-then-down-as-Islanders-prep-for-trade-10966886.php?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">CT Post</a> | <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14772800/islanders-what-happened-josh-ho-sang-first-call-up-bridgeport">LHH</a>]</li>
<li id="6WXvGk">Don’t worry, if Ho-Sang’s back, they expect him to play, because Weight isn’t a guy to “call guys up just to have them sit.” [<a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-return-forward-prospect-josh-ho-sang-to-bridgeport-hours-after-calling-him-up-1.13187729">Newsday</a>] Here was us celebrating, then wondering, then clarifying the news. [<a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14761538/alarm-bells-islanders-josh-ho-sang-recalled-from-bridgeport-under-emergency-conditions">LHH</a>]</li>
<li id="Fl5hTM">Back to the deadline though: Who should the Isles target? Jenny broke down the available names and recommendations. [<a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14701590/islanders-trade-deadline-targets-duchene-landeskog-eberle-sharp-vrbata-duclair">LHH</a>]</li>
<li id="tsYOBX">So the Isles are after Matt Duchene. At what price? [<a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14763824/new-york-islanders-trade-matt-duchene-colorado-avalanche">LHH</a>]</li>
<li id="LnmmXI">And teams are after Jaroslav Halak. Do the Isles part ways? [<a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14768510/new-york-islanders-trade-rumors-jaroslav-halak-berube">LHH</a>]</li>
<li id="r0Njdk">
<span>Mathew Barzal</span> had a Barzal night on Monday (goal, three assists) as Seattle thumped the division leaders, 6-1. [<a href="http://sports.mynorthwest.com/247237/thunderbirds-tame-tips-in-6-1-rout/">My Northwest</a>]</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="wPk6TP">Slightly Beyond the Isles</h4>
<ul>
<li id="LYwcQ9">
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/scoreboard/nhl">Last night’s NHL scores</a>. It was a bad night for the Islanders as a ton of teams around them picked up points.</li>
<li id="gbc2qQ">Speaking of trade deadline roster rules and moves like Ho-Sang’s, this day is about way more than trades. [<a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-marlies/2017/2/28/14765914/the-nhl-trade-deadline-is-not-just-about-trades-toronto-maple-leafs-marlies">PPP</a>]</li>
<li id="qrfW0x">The <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a>, who hold prize trade chips Matt Duchene and <span>Gabriel Landeskog</span> if they want to deal, were a quiet hot mess in Philly. [<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/28/avalanche-shut-out-in-philadelphia/">Denver Post</a>]</li>
<li id="ruYuXb">The <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Canadiens</a> traded <span>David Desharnais</span> to Edmonton for <span>Brandon Davidson</span>, which frees up valuable cap space for further moves. [<a href="http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/analysis/2017/2/28/14772192/instant-analysis-brandon-davidson-defenceman-trade-for-david-desharnais-canadiens-edmonton-oilers?_ga=1.158050106.1805713852.1339817155">HEOTP</a>]</li>
<li id="ubaxwJ">The <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">Rangers</a> acquired <a href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Red Wings</a> free agent-to-be <span>Brendan Smith</span> [<a href="http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2017/2/28/14764400/rangers-red-wings-trade-for-brendan-smith-send-pavel-buchnevich-to-ahl-deadline-2017?_ga=1.117081606.1805713852.1339817155">Blueshirt Banter</a>] , who isn’t <span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span>. [<a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-trade-for-brendan-smith-of-red-wings-after-missing-on-kevin-shattenkirk-1.13188658">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="gccpaf">The Post goes into the reasoning behind the Smith trade and appropriately runs a picture of...<span>Thomas Vanek</span>? [<a href="http://nypost.com/2017/02/28/behind-the-rangers-decision-to-acquire-brendan-smith/">Post</a>]</li>
<li id="fArQSY">The Rangers laid two stinkers, including last night to the East favorite Caps, so...<span>Steve Ott</span> anyone? [<a href="http://nypost.com/2017/03/01/rangers-have-more-needs-to-fill-before-trade-deadline/">Brooksie</a>]</li>
<li id="dW54GE">
<em>Whoops!</em> Too late: Montreal got Ott. [<a href="https://twitter.com/otterN9NE/status/836833758703648769">Ott’s Twitter</a>]</li>
<li id="oybE4w">The <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Blackhawks</a> reacquired <span>Johnny Oduya</span>. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-trade-johnny-oduya-to-chicago-blackhawks/c-287221072?tid=278542340">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="OyZlju">The <a href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a> sent certified Dane Jannik Hansen to the <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">Sharks</a>. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/canucks-trade-jannik-hansen-to-sharks/c-287248162?tid=278542340">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="qOTBAC">Speaking of which, after over a year of speculation, the Shattenkirk trade was appropriately disappointing for Blues fans. [<a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2017/2/27/14758700/the-kevin-shattenkirk-trade-a-fine-disappointment?_ga=1.124358282.1805713852.1339817155">STL Game Time</a>]</li>
<li id="C2tMoG">Meet the historian behind HockeyDB, an essential hockey info site. [<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com%2Fsports%2Fhockey%2Fmeet-the-historian-behind-hockeydb-the-vast-stats-archive%2Farticle34156274%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2017%2F3%2F1%2F14773440%2Fislanders-trade-deadline-nhl-news-open-thread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Globe & Mail</a>]</li>
</ul>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/3/1/14773440/islanders-trade-deadline-nhl-news-open-threadDan Saraceni2017-02-28T22:34:07-05:002017-02-28T22:34:07-05:00What the hell happened with Josh Ho-Sang’s first call-up?
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<img alt="New York Islanders Blue & White Scrimmage" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TphMx0RTH7MeEkesaszTj7l3X_g=/0x244:2504x1913/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53471165/479970278.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yo, kid! Coach wants to see you! | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Blink and you may have missed him.</p> <p id="dYqGtR"><strong>Update:</strong> He’s back. Never in doubt...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> Transaction: Josh Ho-Sang has been recalled from Bridgeport (emergency conditions).</p>— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/836947846691713024">March 1, 2017</a>
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<p id="aPjdRX">And before anyone freaks out again:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> will "send" Ho-Sang, Mayfield, Pelech to BPT later today for AHL playoff eligiblity. That's a paper move. Expect JHS to play tomorrow</p>— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) <a href="https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/836950921489809409">March 1, 2017</a>
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<p id="Jl47se">Tuesday morning in <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> Country was EXCITING! </p>
<p id="3Vr2KU">No, they didn’t trade for <span>Matt Duchene</span>, but they called up <span>Joshua Ho-Sang</span>! Whoa! Incredible! And he’s out there practicing with the team, like a real live Islander. </p>
<p id="KXFIo4">And he’s wearing No. 66 and <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> fans are <a href="https://twitter.com/BComptonNHL/status/836629973884616704">losing their minds</a>?! This. Is. The. <strong>BEST!</strong></p>
<p id="txyNfw">And then, as soon as it started, <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14761538/alarm-bells-islanders-josh-ho-sang-recalled-from-bridgeport-under-emergency-conditions">it was over</a>. The Islanders sent Ho-Sang back to Bridgeport while they boarded a plane to Dallas in early anticipation for Thursday’s game against the <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a> without him. </p>
<p id="eS0zm6">If you were on Twitter this afternoon, that charter plane became the target of a <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/nhl-trade-deadline-islestwitter-matt-duchene-colorado-new-york-islanders/by2dn89695nq1x9456dxzqzlb">nationwide tracking network</a> of Islanders fans dedicated to uncovering the whereabouts of the team and whether or not Ho-Sang (or <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBigLeebowski/status/836708110995767296">anybody else</a>) was with them. He wasn’t.</p>
<p id="q4kg7F">So, what happened? <span>Doug Weight</span> certainly sounded like he was ready to pencil the kid into the line-up after practice, talking at length with <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-return-forward-prospect-josh-ho-sang-to-bridgeport-hours-after-calling-him-up-1.13187729">Newsday’s Steve Marcus</a> about how he plans to use Ho-Sang in his first game.</p>
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<p id="cPRPu9">If Ho-Sang returns, he will play against the Stars, coach Doug Weight said. “I expect him to be in the lineup, obviously we’re hovering on March 1st. I don’t foresee a lot or a little [on the trade front]. I don’t know what’s going to go on. We’re talking, we’ll see what happens.’’</p>
<p id="DOKX0D">Ho-Sang had 10 goals and 26 assists at Bridgeport. “I’m not one to bring guys up and then have them sit,’’ Weight said. “Play will dictate ice time but I expect them to play. He’s not a guy that’s going to come up and help us on the fourth line and be a penalty killer.’’</p>
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<p id="Lm0Zh1">He even had jokes and everything.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Media Question: "Is Josh expected to play?"<br><br>Dougy: "Bailey? yes for sure...yes Ho-Sang is here to play."<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> <a href="https://t.co/s9k9Ag9nTe">pic.twitter.com/s9k9Ag9nTe</a></p>— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/836613158634729473">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="jP5zly">Even the captain had nice words for Josh The Younger.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"He's extremely talented, he loves the game and we're excited to have him here." -<a href="https://twitter.com/91Tavares">@91Tavares</a> on Josh Ho-Sang | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> <a href="https://t.co/RMlKxkVGsX">pic.twitter.com/RMlKxkVGsX</a></p>— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/836635320695287809">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="sFG833">And look at that smiling face? Are they really gonna pull the rug out from under this goofball by teasing him with one lousy practice?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"The guys were really welcoming and I'm very excited. I'm gonna take this opportunity and run with it." -<a href="https://twitter.com/66jhosang">@66jhosang</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> <a href="https://t.co/dNQGjaoHzV">pic.twitter.com/dNQGjaoHzV</a></p>— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/836634904188289024">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="DD6wl7">Maybe not. Sound Tigers beatwriter Michael Fornabaio <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/soundtigers/article/Ho-Sang-up-then-down-as-Islanders-prep-for-trade-10966886.php">laid out some of the possible reasoning</a> for the afternoon’s confusion. This is a crazy time of year, with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-trade-rumors">NHL Trade Deadline</a> not only moving players around but affecting team’s roster sizes and call-up options. And Ho-Sang, as much as it kinda sucked at the time, may have gotten caught in the middle of a few different crossroads.</p>
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<p id="PFlE0h">Sending Ho-Sang back to Bridgeport after Tuesday’s practice left the Islanders with 21 active players a day before the deadline, Wednesday at 3 p.m. That leaves them two under the 23-man limit, a limit that goes away after the deadline.</p>
<p id="DTwH8Z">Both teams next play on Thursday. The Sound Tigers got on the bus early Tuesday to Toronto. The Islanders, with Ho-Sang, practiced on Long Island before flying to Dallas. The Islanders sent the rookie right winger back to Bridgeport after that.</p>
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<p id="xN8H1w">Fornabaio also notes (as does <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14761538/alarm-bells-islanders-josh-ho-sang-recalled-from-bridgeport-under-emergency-conditions#417610847">smart guy Torgo</a> from our original Ho-Sang article) that in order to be eligible for the AHL playoffs, Ho-Sang would have to be on an AHL roster as of the deadline. NHL teams are limited to four call-ups after the deadline passes, so we can probably assume that Ho-Sang will be one as soon as the coast is clear.</p>
<p id="sAf9nQ">Finally, forward <span>Kyle Schempp</span> was recalled from Missouri of the ECHL and will join Bridgeport on its road trip. It seems unlikely that both Ho-Sang and Schempp are on their way to Toronto to meet the Sound Tigers for their three-game weekend set.</p>
<p id="nB58ve">tl;dr Josh Ho-Sang could still be an Islander before the end of this season. There are a few paper-based reasons for sending him down so quickly, but he’ll probably be <a href="https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/836640306795851776">re-re-called</a> soon. To call him up, have him practice with the team, have the coach and captain talk about his place in the line-up, then send him back to the AHL on a permanent basis seems cruel and unusual.</p>
<p id="RF9et1">And while the Islanders have often been described as both, maybe this time there’s actually a method to the madness.</p>
<p id="CMhp9Z">Or at least, I hope so.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14772800/islanders-what-happened-josh-ho-sang-first-call-up-bridgeportDan Saraceni2017-02-28T17:56:33-05:002017-02-28T17:56:33-05:00Deadline Rumors: Interest in Jaroslav Halak, but do Isles care?
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<img alt="Minnesota Wild v New York Islanders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5X7NUj6D0JYWVZPF5m0Pzg8zkDA=/0x216:3097x2281/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53467607/508078424.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“I said, you say goalies make no sense, but what about GMs? Oh...you say he was a goalie too?” | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Isles have a good goalie in Bridgeport who they’ve demoted but might still need.</p> <p id="jmYC9t">With now just a little over one year remaining on <span>Jaroslav Halak</span>’s contract, NHL teams are <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/836653644942622720">finally interested</a> in trading for him.</p>
<p id="nKu0hQ">Whether the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> are still ready to deal him is another story.</p>
<p id="gQwL1w">As the NHL’s March 1 trade deadline enters its final 24 hours, multiple reports suggest at least three teams are interested, with two even having volleyed offers, according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Further to <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger">@DarrenDreger</a>, 2 teams have made offers on Halak, a 3rd is also in mix. He has 1-year left at $4.5m and .924 career playoff sv%.</p>— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) <a href="https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/836654691639386112">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="RFTdVy">What are the offers? Who knows. But as LHH’s garik16 points out, quantity is likely better than, say, mid-round picks with shinier numbers.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It'll never happen but if rather isles try to get like two 7ths for halak than a 4th-5th rounder</p>— garik16 (@garik16) <a href="https://twitter.com/garik16/status/836651525787238400">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="uDQCgN">In the mid-rounds, they are increasingly just dice rolls. Collect more rolls.</p>
<aside id="rYkjGk"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"New York Islanders Trade Rumors: At what price, Matt Duchene?","url":"http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14763824/new-york-islanders-trade-matt-duchene-colorado-avalanche"}]}'></div></aside><h4 id="1eZiON">Why Is This Happening?</h4>
<p id="ljdez3">First, get this out of the way: Whatever the merits of demoting Jaroslav Halak to AHL Bridgeport to work on his game — and there was some argument for that, given how atrocious his numbers were this year — that’s a different argument than saying the Isles are fine with Jean-Francois Berube as their backup.</p>
<p id="GQhc6m">Because they’re really not. Or at least, <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2016/5/13/11668270/thomas-greiss-halak-new-york-islanders-number-one-goalie">a dubious premise has only gotten shakier</a> over time, as Berube’s track record indicates a very thin insurance policy against <span>Thomas Greiss</span> getting injured or overworked.</p>
<p id="DFjMmX">The Berube faith has been a 15-month (and counting) narrative coming out of the Islanders organization: Ever since mid-season last year, as Halak’s injuries recurred and Berube was held on the roster even when three goalies were healthy, the word was the Isles “liked” Berube. A lot. </p>
<p id="5dLfES">Like, so much so that they kept three goalies on the roster for over a season. So much that they wouldn’t risk losing him to waivers. (Which, granted, is how they acquired him. But still.)</p>
<p id="1LCwo3">With Halak’s demotion this year, Berube finally got his chance as “regular” backup. Small, 444-minute sample size and all, but he’s got an .894 save percentage in that time. Combine it with last year’s 399 minutes and he’s up to .904, still not inspiring. Underlining that is his last two full AHL seasons with Manchester, .913 in 100 games.</p>
<p id="OS5kz7">Those were reasons to be wary of relying on Berube. While we may be ultimately proven wrong — hey, you never know — such wariness is certainly not unfounded.</p>
<p id="XkCvBv">Which is why this would make sense, from Newsday’s Arthur Staple, if his sense is in alignment with where the team is now:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Despite the heavy chatter, still don't expect Halak to be moved.</p>— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) <a href="https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/836692052045885441">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> have no NHL ready goaltenders behind Halak. Would certainly move him for the right price, but <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> might actually need him.</p>— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) <a href="https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/836692567467167745">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="9ARMxp">At least in terms of this year’s playoff chase, that’s the right (non)move.</p>
<p id="yb05Hp">But it would also be such a <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2016/12/30/14129332/the-end-of-the-end-islanders-jaroslav-halak-waived">totally Islanders goaltending thing to do</a>: Rely on a shaky premise, double down on that premise for longer than even your most patient apologists are willing to, then finally decide, “You know what? The premise no longer stands.”</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14768510/new-york-islanders-trade-rumors-jaroslav-halak-berubeDominik2017-02-28T14:21:04-05:002017-02-28T14:21:04-05:00Isles Trade Rumors: At what price, Matt Duchene?
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<img alt="New York Islanders v Colorado Avalanche" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sdqXRGdMbmvo9Domi9wqqagSuJM=/829x252:4500x2699/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53466685/461715431.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“Are we talking, or are we just talking?” | Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Breaking down the decision-making process for a trade the Avalanche don’t have to make now.</p> <p id="UBPFGH">Can the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> really make a play for <span>Matt Duchene</span>?</p>
<p id="QbkuPG">Yes.</p>
<p id="Et7zML">Are they willing to pay the steep Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for the forward selected two spots behind <span>John Tavares</span> in the 2009 draft?</p>
<p id="6ZDsz6">Unlikely.</p>
<p id="nVuxQu">(That retail price, <a href="http://www.fanragsports.com/nhl/dreger-know-new-york-islanders-interest-matt-duchene/">according to TSN’s Darren Dreger</a>, is "three or four high-end pieces, and all the better if one of those high-end pieces is a young defenseman that’s ready to play in the National Hockey League right now.")</p>
<p id="PqP9dt">Perhaps it depends on your definition of "high-end piece," but no way are the Islanders giving up <em>four</em> of those for one of those.</p>
<p id="ZoFz6A">So why is this a conversation point, why will the rumors and speculation continue?</p>
<p id="BfOFjz">Because the <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> are broken. Duchene is clearly at least mixed on the topic of his future, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2017/2/28/14762894/nhl-trade-deadline-2017-avalanche-matt-duchene-gabriel-landeskog-rumors">sounding like a player who</a> wants to stay but more urgently wants to win, and doesn’t want the losing that has characterized the first seven years of his career to continue.</p>
<p id="udtvWj">And the Islanders have been serious — but reasonable — about trying to make it work.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Continue to hear today that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> very much in on Matt Duchene. Nelson, Dal Colle likely involved. Question is Pulock or Hamonic?</p>
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) <a href="https://twitter.com/MurphysLaw74/status/836612692873990144">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hearing that once-heavy Avs-Isles trade talks for Duchene have cooled. Sakic may have to wait til draft</p>
— Adrian Dater (@adater) <a href="https://twitter.com/adater/status/836597944228921344">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My take on the conflicting info <a href="https://twitter.com/adater">@adater</a> & I getting today? Sakic stalling & Snow ready to deal. We'll see if they find common ground.</p>
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) <a href="https://twitter.com/MurphysLaw74/status/836618656620634114">February 28, 2017</a>
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<p id="EPks59">Duchene is the name most thrown about this trade deadline, now that <span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span> has been moved to the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a>. He’s <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14701590/islanders-trade-deadline-targets-duchene-landeskog-eberle-sharp-vrbata-duclair">highest on many Isles fans’ lists</a>.</p>
<p id="XXNYi7">Reason would indicate, based on insider reporting up to this point, that <span>Michael Dal Colle</span> isn’t really a name that would make much difference in such a trade, unless he’s your third or fourth "high-end" piece. So disregard that, or at best consider it tangential.</p>
<p id="Wogi34">The long-running reports are that the Avalanche want top prospects and impact or high-prospect defensemen -- and with good reason. As <a href="http://www.fanragsports.com/nhl/lebrun-sees-moment-reckoning-arriving-soon-sakic-avalanche/">Pierre LeBrun recently put it</a>:</p>
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<p id="1yomjy">"And what at play is they have a terrible blueline after one or two players. You mentioned their offensive stars. Well, they’re not going to be very offensive if they don’t get the puck. So they’re just spending too much time in their own zone. Their transition game is affected by their lack of talent on the back end. They get bottled up and they’re just not allowing MacKinnon and Duchene and the rest of those guys that they do have to do their thing. Not often enough.</p>
<p id="XhmTBU">"What they have now doesn’t work."</p>
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<h4 id="VmdStk">When Routine Bites Hard...As Desperation Takes Hold</h4>
<p id="LalyY1">Avalanche GM <span>Joe Sakic</span> is probably doing his best Steve Yzerman impersonation, holding out and holding out for someone to get desperate. Not feeling it, maybe he waits for the draft, when more teams are ready to reshuffle major assets. There’s a school of thought that you sell a non-rental at the deadline only if the buyer is absolutely desperate. Otherwise you wait until the summer auction period.</p>
<p id="5rgDGH">But don’t overlook the reality the Avalanche are desperate too. They’re a mess, they have high-end forwards -- some who are struggling this year — and obvious needs on the blueline if they hope to ever change things around.</p>
<p id="LJUtGz">That’s where <span>Ryan Pulock</span>, who must be protected or exposed in this summer’s expansion draft, would be in play. Pulock’s recovered from his early season injuries and having another oustanding AHL season in Bridgeport. He’s NHL ready.</p>
<p id="3qFtlP">And the Isles have some coverage there: Less heralded but progressing fast in the pipeline — and exempt from the expansion draft — is fellow Sound Tigers defenseman <span>Devon Toews</span>.</p>
<p id="iplUIh">If the Islanders truly covet Duchene, and it has sure sounded all season like they do, they’d be willing — prefer it even — to give up two pieces that have to be protected in the expansion draft over a high-end prospect. That’s why you have the reporter tweet above speculating and spit-balling the names of <span>Brock Nelson</span> and <span>Travis Hamonic</span> too.</p>
<p id="pm8zpC">But if you’re talking about that plus the Islanders’ top prospect in <span>Mathew Barzal</span>, then it starts to get crazy.</p>
<p id="T5QWdK">So once again it goes back to Sakic. The Avs know they need changes. They know Duchene is their most valuable piece. They know the major improvement they need in return is on the blueline, but they’ll want something good up front to help fill the hole left by removing Duchene.</p>
<p id="vpnDOw">As uber insider Bob McKenzie <a href="http://www.fanragsports.com/nhl/dreger-know-new-york-islanders-interest-matt-duchene/">said again this week</a>:</p>
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<p id="NwZi7I">"No, [the asking price] is not [changing]. But this is not a fire sale. Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche are trying to reload, rebuild, reset – call it what you want – their hockey team. ... [Duchene and <span>Gabriel Landeskog</span>] are players that if they don’t move by Wednesday’s deadline will move either before the expansion draft or the entry draft."</p>
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<p id="3EphIf">The Isles have some logical fits that would help the Avalanche, and they’re reportedly on the table. Sakic has every reason to decide the Isles aren’t deadline-crazy desperate enough, so he’ll wait until he can re-roll the dice this summer, when more trading partners can return to the table.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14763824/new-york-islanders-trade-matt-duchene-colorado-avalancheDominik2017-02-28T10:30:01-05:002017-02-28T10:30:01-05:00Who should the Islanders look to target on deadline day?
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<figcaption>Will this guy be wearing blue and orange pretty soon? | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With a wild card spot in reach, the Isles have to decide whether they’re buying or selling. If they’re buyers, there’s a lot of interesting options on the table, with Matt Duchene as the crown jewel. </p> <p id="nrwfIA">The <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> have done a lot in just a month’s time. Going from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to one point out of a wild card spot is no small feat, but their work is hardly over. A new addition to the team at the trade deadline might be the spark needed for the Isles, but with the team not even guaranteed to be in a playoff spot come April, general manager Garth Snow has to be careful not to trade away the future for a difficult playoff push. </p>
<p id="vxR386">Taking a look at some of the big names on the market, the Islanders have a few options should they decide to be buyers at this trade deadline. </p>
<h4 id="iWVB38"><span>Matt Duchene</span></h4>
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<cite>Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="0feygs">The <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> center is obviously the most prized forward this trade deadline, but he’ll come with the highest price. He has a career high of 70 points, but is on pace for 54 points this season on a mediocre team. A change of scenery may help that, especially as he won’t be expected to be the main point producer, likely centering the second line behind <span>John Tavares</span>. Duchene also has term left, with another two seasons following this one, so while he’s due a new contract soon he isn’t a typical rental. </p>
<p id="800gYI">Despite Duchene’s down year with the Avalanche, Colorado GM <span>Joe Sakic</span> will ask a lot for his star player, with the asking price allegedly featuring a “plickspect” package — a player, pick, and a prospect. The Avs are looking for an NHL ready defenseman, and the Isles are arguably in the best position in the league to trade a defenseman, with two good prospects in the AHL and a couple of fringe NHLers rotating in with the big club. </p>
<p id="q9L9PP">Matt Duchene is a player the Islanders need now and in the future, and trading for him can make a strong statement to John Tavares as he considers his future with the Islanders. The asking price might just be too high for the Isles to make the deal. </p>
<h4 id="2sFcTk"><span>Gabriel Landeskog</span></h4>
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<cite>Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="nIlLjs">Landeskog is another name floated around as trade bait for the Avalanche. His asking price is probably a little lower than Duchene’s, but he’s also struggled a lot lately. The Avs captain is 24 years old with a career high of 65 points, and he’s a former Calder Trophy winner. He’d be a good second line winger with the Islanders, but left wing is where the Islanders have the most depth, so Landeskog fills less of a need than Duchene does. </p>
<p id="gAiHdo">Landeskog, however, is signed until 2021 with a cap hit of approximately $5.5 million. It may be an overpay given his current production, but there’s always the hope that he would turn around his play on a better team. He’d be an interesting pick up for the Islanders, but he’s probably not the player that Garth Snow would make a big splash for. </p>
<h4 id="woqNsH"><span>Jordan Eberle</span></h4>
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<cite>Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="dVH8RG">Jordan Eberle’s an interesting case. He’s been one of the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a>’ best players on some miserable Edmonton teams, but has always been viewed as an underperformer. With Connor McDavid singlehandedly bringing the Oilers back to relevancy, they may be looking to trade a player who always seems to be looked at unfavorably despite a history of strong play. That play hasn’t been the case this season, as again, Eberle is another player on a down year. As a right wing, he has more value to the Islanders who lack natural right-handed shots, but odds are Eberle won’t be moved during the trade deadline. </p>
<p id="9LOFby">However, if the Islanders could make it work, they have players the Oilers may find interesting. Travis Hamonic’s name has been floated around for Eberle, as well as <span>Jaroslav Halak</span>’s, as the Isles seem content to leave him in the AHL. Eberle’s signed until 2019, so he’d be another long term target. If that deal goes down, it seems like it would most likely be in the summer, but stranger things have happened at the trade deadline. </p>
<h4 id="waoM6Z"><span>Patrick Sharp</span></h4>
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<cite>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="86WfN7">Now we get to the rentals. While it doesn’t seem likely that the Islanders would want to acquire a player that won’t be here next season, <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/arthur-staple/islanders-keeping-options-open-ahead-of-nontraditional-trade-deadline-1.13145311">Arthur Staple has speculated</a> that if the Isles are looking at rentals, there’s only a few players they’d be interested in. </p>
<p id="gwEOgo">Patrick Sharp is one of these players. His injuries have limited him to only 36 games this year, where the 35-year-old has put up 15 points. Those numbers aren’t dazzling, and at 35 it’s possible Sharp’s game has fallen off, but as a three-time <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs">Stanley Cup</a> champion with the <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>, he’s certainly a “proven winner.” That has some weight during the trade deadline, and Sharp is only a season removed from 20 goals and 55 points in 76 games. </p>
<p id="oOfmTZ">Sharp is a typical grizzled playoff veteran pickup, and the Islanders definitely value veteran presence. However, at 35 years old, Sharp may want to go to a guaranteed contender for one last run at the Cup, and with a modified no-trade clause, he may have more say in his destination than most players in his position. As a rental in a year the Islanders likely won’t win the Stanley Cup, it seems wasteful to use assets on Patrick Sharp. However, the Isles might be able to get him on the cheaper side this deadline, and with his playoff experience he could be an impact player in the right situation. </p>
<h4 id="6r0zK2"><span>Radim Vrbata</span></h4>
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<cite>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="gBAUz9">Radim Vrbata has turned his value around with a return to Arizona after a few years in Vancouver. He’s on a 61 point pace with the <a href="https://www.fiveforhowling.com/">Coyotes</a>, and could be an interesting pick up for the Islanders. Vrbata is 35 but has been playing well on a struggling team. He’d be a good middle six player, and would bolster the Isles’ forward depth. The question on Vrbata is what the price would be, as the Coyotes managed to get a king’s ransom for <span>Martin Hanzal</span>. </p>
<p id="BXOhLW">If he can be acquired for picks, the Islanders may want to add Vrbata to the roster as the playoff race gets tighter and injuries mount, because with <span>Shane Prince</span>, <span>Casey Cizikas</span>, and <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span> all out, the Isles have dealt with depth issues. Vrbata’s 46 points so far would also put him second on the Islanders, so he certainly adds value to the team.</p>
<p id="9UFufn">As stated before, acquiring rental players probably doesn’t make sense for the Islanders at this point, but Vrbata at the right price would be a shrewd pick up if Garth Snow decides to load up pieces for a playoff push. </p>
<h4 id="ZwZfqH"><span>Anthony Duclair</span></h4>
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<cite>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="sNMew4">Anthony Duclair looked like a piece of the future for the Arizona Coyotes last season, putting up 20 goals and 44 points in 81 games. However, a 19% shooting percentage has crashed back down to earth for Duclair, who has 9 points in his last 41 NHL games and 8 points in 15 games with Arizona’s AHL affiliate. Duclair seems like a typical Isles deadline acquisition: a young maligned player who could turn it around in a different setting. At 21 years old, Duclair is basically still a developing prospect, though his stock has plummeted. If the Islanders are looking for a reclamation project, Duclair is definitely a player to try and get. </p>
<p id="elUGKB">With the way the Islanders season has gone, it’s possible that they could take on this trade deadline in a number of different ways. They could be buyers, sellers, or stand pat; they might make a splash and trade for a player like Matt Duchene, or make a trade similar to the <span>Tyler Kennedy</span> one. Regardless of what the Islanders do, with some big names already on the move, hopefully this year’s trade deadline will have some action. </p>
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https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/2/28/14701590/islanders-trade-deadline-targets-duchene-landeskog-eberle-sharp-vrbata-duclairJenny Berman