The New York Islanders announced on Friday morning that their captain, Anders Lee, will be absent indefinitely with an injury to his lower body.
The Islanders captain suffered a nasty crash after being tied with New Jersey Devils striker Pavel Zacha in the 5-3 win on Thursday night. New York is first on the MassMutual East Division steamroller, and losing its top scorer is a big blow. How will they fill the void?
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The NHL trading deadline is exactly a month away, on April 12th. What comes next is only possible if Lee ends up in the injured long-term reserve, which would open up enough space for general manager Lou Lamoriello to acquire a striker to fill.
Taylor Hall has been on the Islanders rumor since Jordan Eberle was acquired in 2017. The Buffalo Sabers are last in the division and in the NHL. Despite speculation that Hall is interested in expanding with Buffalo, the Sabers may want some assets for him that can help build a better future.
Hall’s contract expires after this season, and although he’s not exactly hitting Buffalo, he’s still a top talent who can put the record at the back of the net. Hall’s appeal has many levels. Both teams are in the Eastern Division, which means that if the Islands are able to acquire him, there will be no quarantine period before he can join the team.
“If the islanders could somehow make the Sabers take over [defenseman Thomas] Hickey together with a choice of first or second round (or two seconds), they would be able to replace their upper wing with the available upper wing, ”he noted. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple (from ‘What does Anders Lee’s injury mean to islanders in the negotiation timeframe: targets, boundary space and more’ – The Athletic – 12/03/2021).
Hall has also scored just twice this season, with 16 points from 25 games. These are not large numbers, which could reduce your costs, especially in a contract that is expiring. Finally, he has chemistry with Eberle. They played together at Edmonton Oilers and are best friends. A front row with Hall, Mat Barzal and Eberle would restore the Islanders to the front row threat they had before Lee’s injury.
For Hall, the Islanders should expect to move one or both of the second-round choices acquired when Devon Toews was negotiated with the Colorado Avalanche. As for the complications of the cover, they should worry about it later. The team was good enough to compete for the Stanley Cup this season, and Hall helps to keep those hopes alive.
Kyle Palmieri is another name that makes sense. Similar to the Hall, Palmieri has a winning contract and plays in the same division, then again, without quarantine. He is on a Devils team that has had its share of fights this season. In 22 games, Palmieri has only four goals and 10 points.
He has had several seasons of more than 25 goals, including a season of 30 goals. He has a heavy kick and knows how to score. Palmieri would probably cost less than Hall, giving the Islanders a similar chance to maintain their success this season.
Other names that come to mind and that can play in the front row in Lee’s absence are Filip Forsberg and Rikard Rakell. However, none of the players are winning the contract, which would increase the cost, and they would need a quarantine period to join the Islanders. In that case, it is unlikely that a move for either player will take place now. They are best suited for an off-season deal.
Internal options
Islanders have some internal options if they are unable to discover something through the trade market.
Anthony Beauvillier has a history playing with Barzal and Eberle, and can slide on the top row. He looked strong, despite his low offensive output after returning from injury. He has the speed to keep up with the pace and has shown the ability to score in the past. It is the main internal option.
Oliver Wahlstrom found his way into the NHL, and he can see the time on the front row. He is the type of sniper that the islanders craved, and he can see an increase in production with an increase in ice weather.
Wahlstrom’s shot has been ready since he was drafted in 2018, and he has proven he can bury records. He has an obvious chemistry with JG Pageau, but there is no denying that Barzal is an elite star. The opportunity to play alongside this type of talent can boost Wahlstrom’s confidence and his ability to score goals and be a perfect blend of offensive prowess.
If someone is climbing to the top line, someone else will join the roster. Michael Dal Colle remains strong and must maintain his position. That leaves Leo Komarov and Kieffer Bellows. Bellows was included in the lineup after weeks of being scratched. But after a bad game, I haven’t seen playing time since. The young striker can take advantage of another look, this time in line with Pageau and Dal Colle.
He had some defensive problems, but Pageau and Dal Colle are two of the best defenders in their own zone and can alleviate Bellows’ game. That said, Bellows can score when placed in the right position, and he earned his place in the opening night lineup. He can benefit from playing with Pageau consistently.
Whatever happens, the Islanders will miss Lee as long as he stays away. He is not just a leader on the score sheet, but in the locker room, and this united group will miss its captain. In the meantime, someone or a few skaters will have to work hard if New York wants to continue its success and its pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
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James is a hockey player who became a journalist, covering the New York Islanders. James has been covering Islanders since 2015 with sites like Islanders Insight and NYIslesBlog.