We just learned that Taylor Hall will be heading to Arizona in the first major trade of the season. That brings me to this: the New York Islanders are in an interesting spot as the NHL trade deadline slowly approaches. In the hunt for the Metropolitan Division title, the Islanders could be among the list of teams looking to load up for a playoff run.

Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson have outperformed expectations and it’s been a huge help for New York’s offense. But if the Islanders want to be a legitimate contender, logic would say 19th in the league in goals per game may not be good enough. If they do look to add, however, they’re in a bit of a predicament.

New York has enough forwards who are “good enough”. They just don’t have enough legitimate gamebreakers who can score the key goal when it counts. Mathew Barzal still remains the team’s only star up front but the problem is that this isn’t likely to change based on a deal for a rental at the deadline.

Aside from Hall, how many legitimate high-end forwards on expiring contracts are we going to see move this year? Would the likes of Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Vladislav Namestnikov or Tyler Toffoli really make the difference in winning or not winning a Stanley Cup? Not likely.

Barzal, Beauvillier and Nelson along with Josh Bailey, Derick Brassard, Jordan Eberle, and Anders Lee make up a serviceable group of forwards. The problem is the star power. I remember over the summer I had posted an article on some middle-six free agents the Islanders could take a run at but after Beauvillier/Nelson elevating their play and Brassard turning out to be a solid addition, it’s definitely a matter of quality over quantity right now.

If New York is going to make a trade, it needs to be a player with term who can be a legitimate top-line player. So if it comes down to a rental at the deadline, it should be a pass for Lou Lamoriello.


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OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER

Beauvillier's development is key for Islanders

Piero Greco deserves credit for New York's success in net

Game Recap (Game 24): NYI vs CBJ

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