Buyers or Sellers?
The New York Islanders are in position to be buyers at the upcoming NHL trade deadline, but that doesn't mean general manager Garth Snow is willing to go overboard on a deal. Snow merely may look to add depth to a roster that is expected to undergo a bit of a facelift in the summer.
With forwards Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen set to become unrestricted free agents in July, the Islanders (32-19-7) may attempt to move one or the other - although it's unlikely that the team will be presented with similar value in a trade in February.
In addition, defenseman Travis Hamonic asked to be traded closer to his Winnipeg home for family reasons earlier this season. Signed through the 2020 campaign, Hamonic likely will remain in Brooklyn - well, for the time being.
Team Needs
With the Washington Capitals having all but wrapped up the Metropolitan Division title, New York has its eyes locked on finishing second to secure home-ice advantage in the first round.
A veteran forward could go a long way toward that goal, but also assisting Okposo (club-best 31 assists) and captain John Tavares (team-leading 23 goals, 49 points) in helping the Islanders advance in the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
Key Players
P.A. Parenteau
New York likely isn't going to make any big moves, but perhaps welcoming back a former Islander is in the cards.
While his salary cap hit won't break the bank, the current Toronto Maple Leafs forward could provide a jolt as a bottom-six forward and add some playoff experience to a team that needs to overcome its first-round hurdle.
For what it's worth, the now-32-year-old Parenteau enjoyed his two best offensive outputs while playing with Tavares and the Islanders from 2010-12.
Dale Weise
Weise is enjoying a career season with a personal-best 14 goals for the Montreal Canadiens, who are expected to have many suitors in line for the 27-year-old's services.
Weise resides four points shy of his career mark of 29 and will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer with a salary cap hit of $1.025 million.
Jean-Francois Berube
The Islanders have been carrying three goaltenders on their roster since returning from the All-Star break. Berube was brought up from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League with the trade deadline in mind.
The 24-year-old has made just three appearances with New York and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
