It almost felt fitting, poetic one might say, that Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri starred in the final New York Islanders game before the trade deadline. The duo connected for the team’s first goal, and Nelson had a two-point night to fuel the 3-2 victory on March 4 over the Winnipeg Jets, a team that might inquire about both skaters. Whether it was a reminder that both of them belong on Long Island or one final sendoff, it was a game that displayed two players who have brought more than offense to the Islanders in recent seasons.
Related: Should the Islanders Buy or Sell at the Trade Deadline?
The Islanders are in a unique spot, and for the first time in general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello’s tenure, they might sell at the trade deadline. They are only three points out of a wild card spot, but having the 13th best record in the Eastern Conference indicates it’s time for a reset. It’s the best path forward for a team that needs to add youth and new faces.
The top two players on the trade block are Nelson and Palmieri, the two scorers at the forward position who found the back of the net against the Jets. That’s no secret. However, if the Islanders want to tear it down, they can move a handful of players before the Friday trade deadline. There are five big names to watch (and yes, Nelson and Palmieri are on the list).
5. Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Considering the need for contenders to add centers at the trade deadline, it’s somewhat of a surprise that Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s name hasn’t come up in a lot of trade discussions. He’s an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after next season and is a middle-six center (or bottom six since he’s mostly played on the third line). So, Pageau could be a depth addition to get a team over the hump.
The problem is Pageau’s decline in recent seasons, especially on the offensive end of the ice. At 32 years old, he’s lost a step as a skater and isn’t the same playmaker he used to be earlier in his career. It’s why the Islanders won’t get back much in a trade if they move him. They’d be selling a third-line center who doesn’t move the needle for a Cup contender, and the deal would reflect that (a prospect would be generous).
4. Anders Lee
If Lamoriello wanted to get the most value out of Anders Lee, he would trade him in the middle of a resurgent season. The Islanders’ captain has 23 goals and 19 assists through 60 games and is only one season removed from scoring 20 goals and 17 assists while playing in 81 games. After a season-ending injury in 2021, it seemed unlikely he would return to form, yet he’s on pace for one of the best seasons of his career. Lee’s value is up, and it makes this trade deadline the best time to move him.
Lee is the captain and a key part of the roster. It also doesn’t help that he’s 34, making him an experienced but older player that teams will look at with caution. That said, if the Islanders wanted to get one big piece, from a prospect or a draft selection, to change the dynamics of their roster, they would trade him. Moving him would speak to the direction they want to move in, making a Lee deal unlikely. Trading him would mean they are doing more than just a retool, they would be tearing things down and starting over.
3. Noah Dobson
There are a few reasons Noah Dobson is on the trade block. It’s possible Lamoriello wants to flip him in a one-for-one trade for a forward (someone like Dylan Cozens comes to mind). Likewise, if he’s not on the same page for his next contract, he will be moved either this season or as a restricted free agent (RFA), he can be traded in the offseason. Lastly, there are two camps on Dobson: those who think he’s a forward and should be traded and those who view him as integral to the Islanders’ success.
All things considered, Dobson will probably not be traded. He’s a key part of the defensive unit this season and in the future, making an extension in the summer look like a strong possibility. If Lamoriello wanted to trade him, he would get a good return in a deal. The Islanders can get an NHL-ready player, specifically, a forward, and Dobson’s probably the only player on this team who can do that.
2. Kyle Palmieri
Every contender at the trade deadline is looking for scoring, and Palmieri fits that bill. He’s put together another 20-goal season and is proving he can still score from the wing with a great shot and scoring instincts. There are teams looking to add to their top-six on the wing, and Palmieri is the ideal addition.
If the Islanders decide to trade him, he could land them a few pieces. He won’t bring back a haul but enough to allow them to retool on the fly. Palmieri can get them a top prospect and possibly a first-round pick as well, and the two pieces can allow the Islanders to enter the 2025-26 season with a high upside.
1. Brock Nelson
Nelson’s the player teams want for a Cup run. He checks off all the boxes for a contender. He’s a scorer, a center, a two-way player, and consistent. Moreover, he works well with his linemates and the entire roster. It made the recent win against the Jets, one where he was the best player on the ice, an emotional one for a fanbase that has gotten to know him well over the years. In some ways, his goal felt like a passing of the torch moment as Maxim Tsyplakov, one of the young bright spots on the team, set him up with a centering pass.
If Lamoriello trades Nelson, he will bring back at least two pieces in a deal and possibly more. The Islanders can ask for a top prospect and an NHL-ready player, and there will be a team willing to offer them that for him. It’s a move that will help this team rebound after a rocky season and come back next season looking like a better, well-rounded team.
Why Romanov Isn’t on the List
Alexander Romanov, like Dobson, is an RFA after this season. However, he’s the young defenseman the Islanders will build around. Dobson’s status is up for debate, but Romanov is the shutdown top-pair skater who is next in line to lead the defense. There’s no question about whether he’ll re-sign or not as much as what his next contract will look like.
The other question is if Dobson joins him. Lamoriello will have some extra salary cap space to work with in the offseason, and he can re-sign the two defensemen or only one of them while keeping Nelson or Palmieri. The Islanders have a few paths to take in the offseason, and that’s when they’ll address Romanov and his future with the team.
Who will the Islanders trade at the deadline? Let us know in the comments section below!
