With the Islanders on a much need break until Friday, the injury ward that has become the team’s blue line continues to be filled. Adam Pelech is now out with an “upper-body… injury. I don’t want to speculate but one has to assume it has to do with being kicked in the face against the Rangers. Remember Isles’ goalie J.F. Berube? Well, he has finally been activated off injured reserve and has been assigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL for a two-week rehab assignment. I’m not sure what this team will do with Berube once he has to be returned in two weeks but it is clear that they do not want to expose him to waivers. With Berube making the team’s roster full, they will need to place Travis Hamonic on IR by Friday’s game in Ottawa or the team will carry just six defenseman. I know rational thought does not always apply with this team but one would assume that the team would not travel with only 6 dmen and would certainly call up Ryan Pulock. I’m sure I will look like a moron when Matt Carkner is called up and we can all have a good laugh.
With the trade deadline approaching the Islanders will have some tough decisions to make. With the exception of the Washington Capitals you can find issues in every other Eastern Conference team and there is a chance to make a run with the right addition. While this team has played better the past three games, they still need and injection of talent. They could use another dman, but who couldn’t. They still need a consistent scoring winger.
With that being some of the names being thrown around do not make sense. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins did not make sense for me and now with him being out 6-8 weeks I don’t see him as an option and I don’t think this team needs another center. I do however believe that the Oilers and the Islanders are good trade partners and I still think if Edmonton is a buyer come trade deadline that a deal could happen between the two teams.
Eric Staal is another interesting name. Once again the Isles don’t need another center but Staal has played a lot of wing. He is also a captain and would bring a needed boost of experience and leadership to the locker room. The biggest question would be cost. I think if the price is not outrageous that Staal is a rental that could be worth the risk but I am not giving up any high-end prospects for him.
As the days pass and we get closer to the deadline more names will surely arise. One thing for certain is that the time is right for this organization to be aggressive. I do believe that this team is a playoff team right now but it needs more to be taken seriously come April.
Islanders General Manager Garth Snow tried once before bringing in Ryan Smyth at the deadline to make a playoff push. Ultimately it didn’t hurt the Isles as the assets given up never panned out. One thing is for certain is that if this team doesn’t make noise this spring, nobody’s job is safe. Now is the time to be aggressive.