Trade rumors swirl around Islanders as they try to get out of cap hell
Anthony Scultore
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Lou Lamoriello has his work cut out for him. Rumors continue to swirl around the New York Islanders as they try feverishly to move players like Johnny Boychuk and Leo Komarov.
Islanders cap situation
CapFriendly has the Isles with $8.905 million in cap space. At first blush you would say that seems to be enough to fill out the roster but that’s not the case.
Mathew Barzal is awaiting a big pay raise and will likely eat the majority of that space if not all of it. There is also Ryan Pulock looking for a new deal. Add in the fact that the Islanders are trying to bring back Matt Martin and Andy Green, things are going to get worse.
Rumors surround veterans
So just how bad is the Islanders situation? They traded away promising young RFA defenseman Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche for basically nothing.
Some will argue that the two second round picks were a haul but how about we stop bowing at the feet of Lou Lamoriello. If he managed the situation better, he would have already moved someone at the deadline to make room for Toews. He would have already inked Barzal to a long term deal and removed any threat of an offer sheet. Now Lamoriello is in a bind and everyone knows it.
According to The Fourth Period, he’s desperately trying to trade away Johnny Boychuk’s $6 million hit along with one of those 2nd round picks for relief. If what transpired with Vegas trying to move Marc-Andre Fleury‘s contract at 50% retention is an indicator, it will take a first round pick.
As for Leo Komarov, that will be difficult to move also. He has two years left at $3 million and if the Isles want a team to take his full hit that could be another pick going the other way.
It’s time to get a move on Lou.