What are some possible trade targets for the Islanders, Avalanche and Sabres? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner noted the New York Islanders need a left-shot defenseman with Adam Pelech and Mike Reilly injured. Pelech is out for four to six weeks while Reilly is listed as day-to-day.
With wingers Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair on long-term injury reserve, the Islanders have $9.15 million in cap space.
Rosner suggested Detroit Red Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson as a trade option. He was a healthy scratch in four of the Wings’ 11 games and carries a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2 million.
Another could be Erik Brannstrom of the Vancouver Canucks, who’s on a one-year, $900K contract. Rosner also suggested Brendan Smith of the Dallas Stars (one year, $1 million), who has only appeared in five of his club’s 11 games this season.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple also weighed in on possible blueline trade targets for the Islanders.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (NHL Images).
He points out that Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has limited options. He can’t afford to make a shake-up trade unless he moves out some salary. That’s because Duclair comes off LTIR in two-to-three weeks and Barzal will return before the end of 2024.
Staple suggested Jon Merrill or Declan Chisholm of the Minnesota Wild and Scott Perunovich of the St. Louis Blues as trade options. He also included Gustafsson in his list. Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks could be available but the Isles would have to dump one of their top-four defensemen to afford his $6.5 million cap hit through next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fowler also has a four-team trade list. He’s reportedly willing to expand it but the Isles might not be among his preferred destinations.
Most of these suggested options are inexpensive short-term fixes that won’t significantly improve the Isles blueline. They would be the more likely options for Lamoriello given his salary-cap limitations.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau listed three potential trade targets for the slumping Colorado Avalanche to boost their injury-battered roster.
Proteau wondered if they could make a play for Islanders center Brock Nelson. Given his UFA eligibility next summer, the 33-year-old center has a cap hit of $6 million but he’d be a pure rental player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson might become available by the March 7 trade deadline depending on where the Isles are in the standings. That could be too long a wait for Avs management.
More affordable options include Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson (one year, $875K) and Utah Hockey Club forward Michael Carcone ($775K).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche could be willing to wait until some of their sidelined players return to action. Artturi Lehkonen came off injured reserve yesterday and Valeri Nichushkin is expected to return from his six-month suspension later this month.
However, if they must make a trade, Robertson and Carcone are more likely to be available now than a core player like Nelson. They’ve been in and out of the lineup this season, carry low-cost contracts, and shouldn’t cost more than a third-round pick to acquire. The Avs have two fourth-rounders in the 2025 draft and two fifth-rounders in 2026 to use as trade chips.
BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: Jason Moser cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting last Wednesday that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has been active in the trade market.
Moser believes Adams could be in the market for a top-six forward. He indicated the Sabres can afford to work out a deal for a bigger salary, carrying over $7 million in cap space.
Moser listed several pending UFA forwards on struggling teams this season. They include Frank Vatrano and Robby Fabbri of the Anaheim Ducks, Mikael Granlund of the San Jose Sharks, Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings, Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders, Gustav Nyquist of the Nashville Predators, and Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato of the Chicago Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Depending on their clubs’ performances in the coming weeks, some of these forwards could appear in the trade market once the calendar flips to 2025 and the March 7 trade deadline approaches.
At this stage of the season, it’s unlikely any of them are available. Adams might have to overpay to land one now.