At 8-12-6, the New York Islanders have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NHL this season. However, the team has talent — they made the final four each of the last two years — and were Stanley Cup favorites before the season began. Therefore, if Lou Lamoriello feels like shaking things up, some of the best players in the NHL are available via trade for the Islanders.

While it is unlikely Lamoriello sacrifices future assets and makes a drastic move with the team at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, let’s have some fun and look at four options — two forwards and two defensemen — out there.

Reilly Smith, Forward, 30 – Vegas Golden Knights

As soon as the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres, Reilly Smith’s future was in jeopardy. Smith is a candidate to be traded when Eichel gets healthy and the Golden Knights need to fit his $10 million yearly salary under the cap.

Smith, a pending unrestricted free agent, would be the perfect addition to the Islanders’ top-six. He could replace Kyle Palmieri or Josh Bailey, two players who have struggled drastically all season. The best part: when Eichel returns, the Golden Knights will be desperate to shed money, and Smith could be acquired at a discount.

To Islanders: Reilly Smith
To Golden Knights: 2023 second-round pick, 2024 fifth-round pick

Vladimir Tarasenko, Forward, 30 – St. Louis Blues

Vladimir Tarasenko’s trade request this summer was a shocker. He was subsequently exposed in the Expansion Draft, and the Seattle Kraken could have had him for free. In all likelihood, another team could have traded for him for next to nothing.

No team wanted him, and since his trade request, Tarasenko has recorded 12 goals and 17 assists in 31 games. He is back to looking like an All-Star. But does he still want to be traded? Probably, and the Islanders were reportedly interested in his services in the summer, so they could have interest again. If so, the Islanders would need to shed salary and likely include a first-round pick in the deal.

To Islanders: Vladimir Tarasenko
To Blues: Josh Bailey, 2023 first-round pick, 2023 third-round pick, 2024 second-round pick

Ben Chairot, Defenseman, 30 – Montreal Canadiens

Like the Islanders, the Montreal Canadiens have been a disaster this season. They will likely be sellers at the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline and Ben Chiarot will be their hottest commodity.

He is exactly what buyers want: a two-way, top-four defenseman who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. And he is exactly what the Islanders need. However, if they want Chiarot, they will have to pay the price, which will likely be a first-round pick.

To Islanders: Ben Chairot
To Canadiens: 2023 first-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick

P.K. Subban, Defenseman, 32 – New Jersey Devils

Lamoriello loves making trades with the Devils. He acquired Andy Greene on Feb. 16, 2020 and traded for Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac on April 7, 2021. Could he made it three trades in three years?

If so, P.K. Subban would be a great fit. The puck-moving defenseman has a big shot and would be a nice substitute for Nick Leddy, who the Islanders traded away this offseason and never replaced — the Zdeno Chara-experiment has been a failure. Subban has a $9 million cap hit — so the Devils would retain salary — and he would not cost a lot.

To Islanders: PK Subban
To Devils: 2023 fourth-round pick, 2024 seventh-round pick

Congrats on 1000 games @greeneap6 tough playing against you, pleasure playing a few with you! 🙌🏿 pic.twitter.com/h04msYDBWV

— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) December 21, 2021

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