New York Islanders Buying? Yes But No Rush on Pageau and Lee
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period: Yes, the time has come again for more possible contract extensions. This time, we serve up Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee. The problem with the New York Islanders is this. Few expected them to be in this position. Reality dictates that the Metropolitan Division has gone a little upside down and sideways. Carolina leads the way, but the Islanders and Flyers are right there. Injuries and toxicity have all but destroyed the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.
General Manager, Matthew Darche, evaluates things on a longer-term basis when it comes to players like Pageau and Lee. He is in no real hurry either. With the looming return of Bo Horvat from injury, the Islanders are on solid footing as the Olympic Break approaches. Right now, unlike other Olympic years, there is no soft pre-break deadline.
Others will note how Darche approaches this. After all, this is his first stint as General Manager. He has a team exceeding any and all expectations. Does that make the Islanders a buyer? Yes.When do they pull the trigger? One may have to wait a while on that.
NHL Rumors: Dougie Hamilton on the move? Yes.
The New York Islanders are eyeing the market while looking after their own. Darche is playing poker here with this much time between now and the deadline is far from surprising.
The Weight of the Trade Deadline
Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet: It may shock people that this trade deadline will stretch out a good deal. While Dougie Hamilton likely gets moved sooner rather than later, lots of other decisions will wait. March 6th is a good ways away until the Olympic Break is over. One good streak can turn a seller into a buyer, much like a bad run can reverse the course.
With a lot of teams in the middle ground, there are a few that are mulling the possibilities.
NHL Rumors: Utah Will Go Big Game Hunting
Winnipeg is a strange one. The Jets were expected to regress, but to go straight from first to 32nd is something else. Part of it is coaching and the dynamic. Nikolaj Ehlers going to Carolina, along with a few injuries (Connor Hellebuyck) changed things. Hellebuyck does not look like himself, either by the way. Minor moves short of a coach firing are expected.
Teams like the New York Rangers can easily sell if Igor Shesterkin is out a long while, as feared. Artemi Panarin remains a major target regardless. One feels a framework of a deal would be done by now or soon. Nashville, like Buffalo, has climbed right back in. Calgary is waiting on several players, including Rasmus Andersson.
Finally, expect the St. Louis Blues to make some kind of bigger move. The when is the only question. And yes, the New York Islanders will be looking actively. Matthew Darche is already even if all his cards are not on the table.
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