New York Islanders: Islanders potential trade deadline targets
By Steve Lee
Artemi Panarin – Columbus Blue Jackets
The 27-year-old left winger has been in the league for four seasons and his lowest point total of 74 came in his second year with the Chicago Blackhawks. This year, Panarin is on pace to set a new career high as he has 67 points in 56 games, 16 points away from bettering his finish last season.
The question is, do the Islanders have enough to convince the Blue Jackets to part ways with their first line star winger? Could Jordan Eberle or Brock Nelson headline a package deal? Neither player has performed above expectations this year and have given the Isles depth, but sometimes you have to be willing give up to get.
How will Columbus getting Matt Duchene change the trajectory of the Blue Jackets’ season?
Ilya Kovalchuk – LA Kings
There was once a time in which Kovalchuk was a player who would regularly be a point per game player, twice cracking the 90 point mark. Yes we are in a different era of hockey, but after five and a half years, the Russian winger isn’t the same threat he once was.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the Kings are battling for worst team in the NHL and a change of scenery could be in need. The Islanders don’t have a lot of draft picks this year and aren’t exactly willing to move their youth for a rental player, but a lateral trade of Nelson or Eberle could work well for all parties involved.