New York Islanders Looking to Make Deal with Kings

According to rumors, it sounds like the New York Islanders and the Los Angeles Kings are talking about swapping players. As in, a multiplayer trade that is.

It’s no secret that the New York Islanders need a kick up the behind, at least figuratively. The Isles are sitting with a 4-6-1 record and losing ground in the competitive Metropolitan Division.

After an embarrassing 6-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning at home followed by a lackluster 3-2 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers, fans are getting antsy. And frankly, upset at the sudden downturn this franchise is taking.

Maybe a big trade is just the thing to hit the reset button on the season and get the Isles back to where they should be in the Metropolitan Division; challenging for a playoff spot.

Why the Kings?

The Kings are said to be interested in Jaroslav Halak. That shouldn’t come as a big shock to anyone following NHL story lines. The Kings lost their number one starter on the opening night of the season for at least three months. The Kings need a goaltender.

Their current number one, Peter Budaj, isn’t exactly the goalie to get the job done. Sure, he’s got a 2.31 GAA and .902 SV%. But that can’t last. The Kings need a number one goalie.

The Isles need top level scoring. The rumors are, of course, brief on player names or any sort of details. But If I had to wager a guess, the Isles are looking at Jeff Carter.

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

When Frans Nielsen left in free agency a rift opened up on the center depth chart. After John Tavares, who was that number two center? Ryan Strome? Sure, Strome’s a center, but a number two center?

The Isles tried Strome, but after just ten games it seems that they either don’t trust him, or don’t feel like he’s got what it takes to sit on that second line. Bringing in a player like Jeff Carter should fix that.

I say “should”, because who really knows what will work? Most of us thought that Ladd would have been a good addition, not a great one, but a good one. And that’s been far from true so far.

If Carter is on the way in, who’s on the way out? Take your pick of depth forwards? Nelson, Strome, Bailey? Package them with Halak and maybe we see Carter and a pick or a prospect come back. The rumor is out there, so expect more on this.