The Islanders Need to Trade Players and Rebuild
The New York Islanders went from being one of the final four teams in the playoffs last year to being 24th in the league this season. With the chance of playing in the postseason decreasing after nearly every game, it is in the Islanders’ best interest to trade players and rebuild. Below are players that I think the Islanders can trade that have relatively good value.
Anthony Beauvillier
Anthony Beauvillier is currently in the first year of a three-year contract that has a cap hit of $4.15 million per year.
Beauvillier is known to be a streaky player and has been underperforming this year. However, in the 2020-21 regular season and playoffs, Beauvillier was one of the Islanders’ best players.
The 24-year-old left winger is young and adaptable. Head coach Barry Trotz has had Beauvillier play in a variety of different line combinations, and he has succeeded in many of them.
The Islanders could trade Beauvillier for draft picks without having to worry about replacing him. Kieffer Bellows is a young, productive player who is looking to solidify his spot in the lineup, and he is a great candidate to take Beauvillier’s place. Getting early picks in the NHL Draft should be the Islanders’ goal to rebuild and get more talented young players on the team in the future.
Josh Bailey
Islanders’ alternate captain Josh Bailey has two years remaining in his six-year, $30 million contract. It seemed unlikely that the Isles would trade him because he is loved by the coaching staff and consistently used throughout the Islanders’ lineup.
However, recently there have been trade rumors linking Bailey to the Minnesota Wild. While he may not be a goal-scorer, Bailey has a lot to offer as a depth piece. He is always getting involved in plays, so it is no surprise he has the second most assists on the team. Bailey is also a good leader, hence the “A” on his jersey.
The Islanders could trade Bailey — however, they may have to add a sweetener, like a draft pick or prospect, in the deal — and replace him with 21-year-old Oliver Wahlstrom, who is one of the best goal scorers on the team.
Zdeno Chara
Zdeno Chara is another name that is being thrown around in trade rumors.
Chara signed a one-year, $750k deal during the offseason with the Islanders. And while he may not put up the best numbers, he certainly brings a lot of depth and leadership to the team. However, the Islanders have too many veterans.
If they trade Chara, the Isles should once again look to acquire draft picks or prospects in return so they can rebuild. Robin Salo has played a few NHL games this season but was sent down to the Bridgeport Islanders when defenseman Ryan Pulock returned from an injury. Salo rose to the occasion and looked like he could be an everyday player in the NHL. He would be a great option to fill Chara’s spot if he were to get traded.
Cal Clutterbuck
34-year-old Cal Clutterbuck is also rumored to be on the trade block. Clutterbuck is currently in the last year of a five-year contract. With an annual cap hit of $3.5 million, it wouldn’t be too costly for a team to pick him up, especially if the Islanders retain money in the deal. And with the Islanders’ fourth line on the decline, it wouldn’t hurt the Isles too much to lose him.
Clutterbuck is another great depth piece to add to any lineup and he plays a physical game. He currently leads the team by a landslide with 191 hits. The Islanders would probably be able to get a late draft pick or less offensively-skilled prospect/player for Clutterbuck. Ross Johnston is capable of taking on Clutterbuck’s role as an everyday NHL player if Clutterbuck is moved.
Goal of the Rebuild
The Islanders’ main goal from now until the start of next season should be to get younger so they can repeat the success they had in the 2020-21 season. But, the Islanders have given away several draft picks in past trades so it is crucial for them to start recuperating picks in future trades.
The last time the Isles had a first-round draft pick was in 2019. The following year, the Islanders didn’t get the opportunity to draft anyone until the third round. In the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft, the Islanders have already lost their second, fourth and seventh round picks in trades. Therefore, acquiring picks or prospects in future trades should be the Islanders’ top priority so they can rebuild, get younger, and go on a Stanley Cup run in the future.
I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five. Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.
