Examining the Islanders’ Recent Trades

Whatever the outcome, it’s hard to see how the Islanders could be viewed as the clear losers from the past day.

In a move that involved two deals with rival teams, Mathieu Darche sent the underperforming Maxim Tsyplakov to the Devils, acquiring Carson Soucy, Ondrej Palat, and a sixth-round draft pick in 2027 from New Jersey.

Though the Islanders might find Palat’s $6 million cap hit challenging to manage next season, even in the worst-case scenario, they could part ways with him by 2027. With Pierre Engval secured through 2030, those worries seem manageable.

Overall, these transactions are sensible. Soucy addresses a pressing need that the Islanders attempted to fill for two months without success. A dependable third-pair defenseman is crucial leading up to the trade deadline, especially highlighted by Ryan Purock’s recent injury.

While Soucy may not have the highest potential, he’s a reliable choice, and as he’s on an expiring contract, the risk feels minimal. Ultimately, it will be Palat’s performance that could shift the Islanders’ trajectory following these trades.

Last week, when Nick Leddy became available, some fans wanted him back, recalling his past contributions. However, Darche—who wasn’t around during that era—wisely opted not to pursue a player whose skills didn’t fit the Islanders’ current needs.

This is noteworthy because Darsch was part of the Lightning during Palat’s prime, contributing to their back-to-back Stanley Cup victories. I think this background might help Palat turn things around, especially given his difficult tenure with the Devils. It’s also possible that Coach Darsch saw something in Palat’s recent play that might affect his own coaching decisions.

The Islanders are truly in need of scoring and players who can disrupt near the net. Palat has that potential when at his best, but there’s doubt over whether he can perform at that level as he approaches 35.

It’s been tough for several wingers on the team to find the back of the net. Jonathan Drouin has yet to score in 29 games; Max Shabanov has only one goal in that same span. Anders Lee hasn’t scored in 14 games, and Emil Heinemann has only found the net twice in 16 games.

Palat’s stats aren’t encouraging either, scoring just two of his last 25 goals. The Devils’ rocky situation following the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes adds to the complexity, but we can’t overlook the defensive contributions any of these players might make.

Interestingly, even with five out of nine wingers struggling to score, the Islanders haven’t progressed much.

As for the players heading to Milan before the Olympics, there are risks involved. Currently, Canada’s Bo Horvat and Czech Republic’s Palat are the Islanders’ only representatives in Italy. Given concerns about the ice conditions at Santa Giulia Arena, everyone involved may be feeling a bit anxious.

If things take a turn for the worse, it’s not the end of the world. Tsyplakov hardly played, and the Islanders haven’t weakened their roster. They have plenty of options, whether to push for more trades or pull back if necessary before the March 6th trade deadline.

Recently, Darche hadn’t engaged with certain players, but he has a few expiring contracts like DeAngelo and Rittich to consider, along with Soucy, which could attract interest from playoff teams. The Islanders may need to have discussions on their strategies in light of any struggles they face leading up to the Olympic break.

Looking at the other side, Darsch managed to address two important needs without sacrificing key draft picks or prospects. It’s unlikely the Islanders will trade away their top prospects, but they still maintain two first-round picks and the Devils’ third-round pick.

These signings also signal intent and provide much-needed support before the suspension of the Olympics. If he continues performing well, we may see a positive response from Darsh.