Drive 4 Five Roundtable: NHL Trade Deadline
The NHL Trade Deadline is fast approaching in the NHL and with the Islanders struggles as of late they are in need for some sort of trade. I interviewed two of my fellow Drive 4 Five teammates and asked them to give me some of their wants that they want the Islanders to do before trade deadline. Let’s take a look and see why these ideas are good and bad!
First, I interviewed David, who had a pipe dream.
“In a perfect world, I want a trade that revolves around Andrew Ladd and a first round pick/prospect combination for Kyle Turris,” he said.
At age 30, the Nashville center has seven goals and 17 assists in his 47 games played this season. Turris is one of those players that seems to fluctuate in his playing ways and this year he has struggled. Under Barry Trotz, Turris can be a star.
Although this trade is more of a pipe dream, it is interesting to look at. Turris is not playing well and Nashville is looking to get rid of his contract. Trading Ladd for Turris will counteract two bad contracts.
Getting rid of Ladd would be huge for the Islanders with Devon Toews, Mat Barzal and Ryan Pulock entering free agency. It might not happen, but depending on how low Nashville views their struggling center, offering a first round pick and prospect like Ruslan Iskhakov could be enough to get the deal done.
Another fellow writer, Will, suggested the Islanders acquire JG Pageau for AHL forward Kieffer Bellows alongside fellow AHL defenseman Bode Wilde. The Islanders would not have to give up a draft pick but would need to part with two decent prospects.
“Having another center would allow Derick Brassard to go back to the wing with Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier,” he said.
As of lately Brassard has been the third line center, lining up with two of Kieffer Bellows, Ross Johnston or Michael Dal Colle.
Pageau has 21 goals for Ottawa Senators on a team that does not score. That shows just how much of an offensively-gifted forward Pageau is.
By not trading a first-round pick, the Islanders can rest easy knowing they will have a selection in a great draft. Bode Wilde has just been sent down to the AHL and Kieffer Bellows has great trade value after his hot NHL start, making this trade perfect.
With NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching and the Islanders struggling as of late, it would be a smart move for Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello to make a trade. There are many possible trades that the Islanders could make. It’s only a matter of time before we see if any of our mock trades came to floriation or not.