Patrik Laine. It almost sounds to good to be true. Laine’s name has been mentioned in speculation with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Winnipeg Jets are “very serious” about trading him and are listening to all offers. 

Laine is a very attractive name, especially for a team that desperately needs one or two more goal-scorers. But can the Islanders invest?

How good is Patrik Laine?

Laine is arguably the best goal scorer in the NHL other than Alex Ovechkin. At only 22 years of age, he is already on a 37-goal per season pace with his prime still coming several years down the road.

There are many questions in regards to how complete of a player Laine is. Throughout his career, he has been labeled as a one-dimensional player, a goal scorer and a goal scorer only. In November 2018, Laine had a stellar 18 goals but only one assist to go with it.

He rounded out his offensive game this year, with 28 goals and 35 assists in 68 games. His metrics on the defensive side of the puck are rough. However, there is no denying his pure offensive skill and his lethal shot. Few players even at the professional level can say they have a shot as lethal as Laine’s, so logically, it seems like a good fit.

Should the Islanders trade for Laine?

In a perfect world, Patrik Laine would be acquired by the Islanders in addition to the team they already have. The flat salary cap presents an issue.

First and foremost, the Islanders have to sign all three of their restricted free agents- Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock, and Devon Toews. Even if this were to happen, the Islanders would have to get creative in terms of dumping their cap space- whether it be a Nick Leddy trade, Andrew Ladd LTIR, or a buyout.

Then, the Islanders have to decide which unrestricted free agents they have to sign. Matt Martin, Derick Brassard, Andy Greene, and Tom Kuhnhackl all hit the free agent market this offseason, and Lou Lamoriello has to make decisions as to who to sign and who to let go.

This, in itself, will be difficult to do with the salary cap, especially when players such as Adam Pelech and Anthony Beauvillier will need contracts in the 2021 offseason, where the salary cap will still be flat. 

If the Islanders were to acquire Laine, not only would they have to get creative with their cap situation, but one or more of Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson, Ryan Pulock, or Devon Toews would have to go the other way. Is it worth it for this team, that made the Eastern Conference Final, to trade a key piece of their core that helped them get there? Probably not.

Patrik Laine doesn’t seem like the best fit in Barry Trotz’s system, as he is a liability defensively and his goal totals would likely reduce playing on a more defensive team. As sexy of a name as Laine is, the Islanders should not overpay for him.

Teams that have won championships, like the Pittsburgh Penguins did back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, have many of their players being home-grown talents, meaning they weren’t traded for or gotten in free agency, but already drafted by the organization. Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary, and Matt Murray are all players that perfectly fit this description. Oliver Wahlstrom, Kieffer Bellows, Bode Wilde, and Ilya Sorokin all have the potential to do the same on the Island.

Laine might be worth it, as him and Mathew Barzal could be a duo for the ages, but it won’t come at a small price to pay.

Will the Islanders trade for Patrik Laine?

Most likely not. While Lamoriello has surprised a lot of people, and is known to be a very sneaky general manager, this seems like it would be too hard to pull off, and too high of a risk to take anyway.

It will also be hard to sign Mike Hoffman, but that is probably more realistic than a Laine signing. Always be on the lookout, but don’t expect Patrik Laine to be a member of the New York Islanders.

John Smark