The Vegas Golden Knights are probably thrilled that center Jack Eichel has four points in his first five games with his new club, while the New York Islanders are hopefully wishing they pursued him.

The Islanders had an opportunity early this season to acquire a franchise player for an incredibly cheap price. The Buffalo Sabres prevented Eichel from getting the surgery on his neck that he wanted, so a trade was inevitable. But was that surgery going to work? The Golden Knights thought it would.

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Since the Sabres had little leverage, the Golden Knights were able to get him for Peyton Krebs (17th overall pick, 2019), Alex Tuch and three draft picks (a first, second and third-rounder). Krebs and Tuch are solid NHL players, and hopefully at least one of the three picks will pan out, but that’s a middling return for a player of Eichel’s caliber. The 25-year-old second overall pick in 2015 has 359 points in 380 games.

The Islanders had the assets to pull off a similar trade. They could’ve traded Anthony Beauvillier, Oliver Wahlstrom and the three draft picks. Losing Beauvillier and Wahlstrom stings, but neither come anywhere close to Eichel. Having him on the first line would’ve given head coach Barry Trotz the ability to play Mat Barzal on the second line, and move Nelson to the wing.

This theoretical trade would’ve given the Islanders a formidable top-six and the star center they’ve missed since John Tavares’ departure. It might’ve sparked struggling players like Kyle Palmieri, Anders Lee and Josh Bailey.

Although the team would’ve been significantly worse the first half of the season, it turned out the Islanders had too many gaping holes to be competitive this season anyway. Perhaps the Islanders wouldn’t have to worry about shipping off expensive contracts for minuscule returns knowing they have a game-breaking center to play with them.

Now, the Islanders head into the Trade Deadline with multiple albatross contracts they’ll have to shed if they want to sign a big free agent this summer. They lack the youth, skill and speed in their top-six that most playoff teams have. Eichel could’ve solved those problems.

So far, early returns are promising. Eichel scored his first goal in the black and gold last Sunday in a 4-1 win against the San Jose Sharks. He also had an assist that night.

Eichel will have to finish the season strong to prove he fully recovered from his surgery. But if the small sample size is any indication, more teams are probably regretting not making an offer. The Islanders should be among them.

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.