The New York Islanders made a big acquisition at the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators for a handful of picks, including a 2020 Top-3 Protected pick, that could stay with the Islanders if they lose to Florida and win the second Draft Lottery. If not, the pick, no matter where it lands, would go to the Senators. Despite only playing seven games with the Islanders, here is our first look at the now long-term Islander.

The Good:

Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been a household name for quite some time. Whilst J-G Pageau has only played seven games with the Islanders, he was in the midst of a career year, scoring 26 goals and 16 assists. The idea of bringing him here was to provide the Islanders with the immediate effect of a proper goal-scorer, a category the Isles had been struggling with the entire season.

The Bad:

While his first seven games with the Islanders weren’t horrendous, they weren’t terrific either. He put up two goals wearing blue and orange, which doesn’t necessarily justify the cost it took to acquire Pageau from the Senators. However, he never truly had a chance to show the Islanders faithful what he is made of yet, and he was a playoff performer back during the Senators run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017.

The Expectations:

Jean-Gabriel Pageau was traded for (and given a long-term extension) to provide a top-level goal scorer. The COVID-19 pandemic break did not allow him ample time to prove his worth. Only time will tell if he provides that presence for the Islanders, with expectations high for the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.

The Moment of the Season:

Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s first goal in blue and orange was a sneaky one. Defenseman Ryan Pulock took a slapshot from the blue line, bouncing off of the glass. Pageau knocked the puck down with his hand and tapped the puck in behind an unsuspecting Alexandar Georgiev. He has had success scoring against the Rangers before, and it was fitting that he started his Islanders career scoring against them.

The Verdict:

Jean-Gabriel Pageau showed glimpses of what he could bring with him from Ottawa, but will still need more time to prove it. If he provides what Lou Lamoriello wanted him to be, he will turn the Islanders into a true Stanley Cup threat. Pageau must prove his worth if he doesn’t want to be known as a trade gone bad, but he has time to show that the trade was worth the price.

The Grade: 86/B

John Smark