NHL Rumours: New York Islanders Target Winnipeg Jets Forward
As the Stanley Cup Final approaches, the NHL rumour mill remains active. Teams ousted from the playoffs are strategizing for a return to contention, hinting at an exciting off-season. The New York Islanders, eliminated in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes, are looking to enhance their roster for a stronger performance next season. Currently, the Islanders are reportedly eyeing a Winnipeg Jets forward.
NHL Rumours and Sources
All NHL rumours originate from credible sources and are subject to change.
Islanders Pursue Winnipeg Jets Forward
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that the Islanders are seeking to acquire assets such as first-round picks. These assets could be valuable for General Manager Lou Lamoriello in his quest to add another forward. It is suggested that the target forward could be Nikolaj Ehlers of the Jets.
Analysis
The Islanders struggled mid-season but managed to secure a playoff spot due to Patrick Roy’s hiring as head coach and a weak competition group. Despite their early playoff exit, the team made positive strides. Roy improved the team’s defense, but a lack of scoring hindered their progress. Lamoriello seems poised to address this issue by actively seeking to enhance the team’s offensive capabilities.
Acquiring Assets
Recently, the Islanders traded with the Chicago Blackhawks, exchanging picks. The Blackhawks received the 18th and 50th overall picks, while the Islanders gained the 20th, 54th, and 61st overall selections. By moving back in the draft, New York secured an additional second-round pick. Pagnotta suggests the Islanders might pursue similar trades to stockpile picks, which could be used to facilitate future deals. With a projected $6.2 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly, and upcoming contracts for Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson, Lamoriello may need to clear additional cap space for new acquisitions.
Several veteran players, including Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, have expiring contracts, which are expected to be low-cost deals with minimal cap hits.
Clearing the Way
To acquire Ehlers, the Islanders might need to offload a significant contract. Ehlers, entering the final year of a $6 million deal, is unlikely to re-sign with the Jets after the 2024-25 season. Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is likely to trade Ehlers rather than risk losing him for nothing after his contract expires.
The upcoming NHL Draft could trigger a wave of activity. While the Islanders’ asset acquisition and pursuit of Ehlers are not directly connected, these efforts could complement each other. Clearing cap space might pave the way for Ehlers’ potential move to Elmont, NY.
Improving their offense is a priority for the Islanders this off-season, and acquiring a player like Ehlers could be the key. However, such a move would likely come with a significant cost and involve various strategic maneuvers.
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