All eyes apply to Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Following a team meltdown at Madison Square Garden on Monday evening, there are pairs of islanders on contract expiration that must be addressed by Friday's trade deadline.
But it's not just the two players the team will check in for the rest of the week.
The question in this seller's market is not just whether Lou Lamoriello will do what he has resisted for a long time and begin a recurrence. That's how far he goes.
Jean Gabriel Pago, who has been on a contract until the end of next season, has been able to ensure that he supports the playoff team as a two-way center with special team experience that can lock the checklines.
There's a market out there, especially if the islanders hold a portion of Pago's $5 million salary.
He is one of the best players in the islanders this season and is the same as Anders Lee, who will be the first 30-goal scorer since 2018.
If, like Pago, the islanders hold some paycheck, it becomes much more appealing – Lee's cap hit is $7 million – but there's no doubt that the 34-year-old, who has typical islanders culture throughout his career, bringing high-end efforts every night, is lined up with his service.
And there is a blue line. The Islanders now have eight NHL caliber players, thanks to a trio of players brought in when they were injured in January.
Flip either Adam Boqvist or Tony Deangelo between now and Friday and get back at least the conditional fifth pick in 2026.
Noah Dobson's name passed through rumors last month, but the islanders don't believe they are trying to move him unless they receive an offer they cannot refuse.
Alexander Romanov has proven that he will be the foundation of his future with his play this season.
Both Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech hold deal-free clauses that complicate potential deals, similar to Scott Mayfield (which is likely to prove to be immovable anyway).
It is worth noting that Lee and Pageau cover 15 and 16 teams respectively, but they also hold a no-trade list.
Nelson and Palmieri have 16 team provisions if the islanders actually decide to move.
Currently, there is a wide range of options for islanders between now and Friday.
There is something obviously out of hand from Matt Barzal, Bo Horvatt and Ilya Sorokin. There is also another group of players that make little sense to move.
Dobson, Romanoff and Simon Holmstrom, who were restricted this summer, should all be considered part of the future.
But this week is the chance to recreate a group that has been in the same essence for many years. The fan base is looking for change.
The current composition of the market also supports teams who choose to sell.
Few teams can say they're honest from the playoff mix, so even the islanders who entered five points ahead on Tuesday have at least a few chances – players now available have scored strong returns so far.
That includes Trent Frederick, who went from Boston to Edmonton. Gustav Nyquist traveled to Minnesota from Nashville. And then the Ryan Lindgren Jimmy Vicy package that Rangers sent to Colorado.
All of these deals include two rounds of picks, with Nyquist being the only one of three that doesn't even include the fourth rounder.
Nelson and Palmieri are the most obvious chances for islanders to stock up on assets, and it is believed that Nelson will at least net first-round picks or solid prospects.
However, if the islanders do so, they can go even further.
