On the New York Islanders …
Brian Heyman of Newsday: It’s unlikely the Islanders trade forward Brock Nelson. If the Islanders look to improve on the blue line or in net before the deadline, they would likely have to move someone from their forward group. Nelson isn’t among their young forward core group, and he has more trade value than someone like Andrew Ladd.
If the Islanders are looking to add a goaltender, there is no point of keeping Jaroslav Halak. He’s a pending UFA and could be part of the package if they bring in another goalie.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: The Lightning could use another defenseman or two, as well as another bottom-six center.
The Lightning have the prospects and draft picks to make a splash at the trade deadline, but GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t feel the pressure to overpay.
“No matter what moves you make, there’s no guarantee that you’re winning the Cup,” Yzerman told the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday. “I do know that at the trade deadline, any deal you make you’re paying more than at any time during the season. I weigh any opportunity with what it’s going to cost.
“I can give up five first-round picks and every prospect we have and it still won’t guarantee the Stanley Cup.”
If they are available, trading for Erik Karlsson or Ryan McDonagh would definitely help, but the cost would be high. A Karlsson trade is a long-shot, and he’d have to tell the Senators that he wants to be traded.
The Lightning don’t appear to be interested in trading either Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev.
The Lightning are open to rental players like Mike Green or Cody Ceci, but players with term on their deal are more valuable.
“You talk about the assets – I’m not just giving them away for the sake of making a trade,” Yzerman said. “Every deal is different. The cost of the move has to make sense to me.”