As we approach the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the New York Islanders have a surplus of defensemen.
It would likely be in the Islanders’ best interest to not carry eight defensemen, nine when Mike Reilly is ready to return.
However, the Islanders also don’t want to risk losing any of their depth defensemen on waivers. When the trade deadline passes, rosters expand so the Islanders don’t necessarily have to make decisions about their blue line depth by 3 PM ET on March 7.
But, if the Islanders don’t plan on bringing everyone back, why not get something for them?
We know a few things.
Alexander Romanov, who has emerged as the club’s No. 1 defenseman, is going nowhere. The 25-year-old pending restricted free agent is paving the way to a nice pay raise for himself this summer.
Islanders’ Tony DeAngelo On Playing With Alexander Romanov EAST MEADOW, NY — Since Tony DeAngelo arrived on Long Island, he’s been stapled to Alexander Romanov’s right.
Pending RFA Noah Dobson, who has struggled this season and missed time, is also likely to remain despite rumors that swirled a few weeks ago. He changed agents this season and expects to get a long-term deal when the season is over.
Veteran staples Adam Pelech, who carries a cap hit of $5.75 million through 2029 and Ryan Pulock, who carries a cap hit of $6.15 million through 2030, have struggled this season when healthy, but both are not likely to be moved before the deadline.
The two have full no-trade clauses. Pelech’s deal goes from a NTC to a modified trade clause (16 teams) on July 1, while Pulock’s contract has another year before it becomes modified (16 teams).
The Islanders should definitely take calls, but a trade would be rather hard to complete.
Here’s where things get interesting.
The other veteran staple, Scott Mayfield, has served as a healthy scratch for three of the last four games. In his return to the lineup on Monday, in which the Islanders went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, Mayfield was the No. 7, playing a team-low 9:04.
Mayfield, who carries a cap hit of $3.5 million for five more seasons after this one, has a full no-trade clause, but I wonder if he’s willing to waive it to go to a contender if he’s not going to play.
If Mayfield is in play, I’d keep an eye on the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Report: NHL Insider Names Islanders Scott Mayfield As A Trade Option For Toronto Maple Leafs Would Scott Mayfield waive his no-trade clause to join the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Then, the Islanders have their three in-season acquisitions.
Tony DeAngelo, who has been a perfect fit alongside Romanov, is on an expiring pro-rated deal. Given his ability to quarterback a power play and his grittiness, I’m sure teams would be interested in him for a playoff push and run.
There’s no reason to give DeAngelo away for a late-round pick, as it likely makes more sense to extend him to a short-term deal at a cap hit of around $1 million.
But, if a team was to offer a mid-round pick or more for him — that would be a shock — the Islanders should pick up the phone, especially if the plan is for Dobson and Romanov to be a pairing next season.
Adam Boqvist, who was acquired off waivers from the Florida Panthers, is a pending restricted free agent who Patrick Roy seems to love. He’s offensive minded and can quarterback a power play. He’d be claimed if the Islanders did elect to waive him.
The likely defenseman on the move is Scott Perunovich, who was acquired from the St. Louis Blues for a 2026 conditional fifth-round pick. After getting an opportunity, he has not played in the last two games and seems to be at the bottom of the totem pole.
Perunovich did his job when the Islanders’ blue line was injured, but it doesn’t seem like the Islanders need him anymore. However, is it better to see if they can keep him on a cheap deal as a depth option since his value on the market is very low?
You have to remember that the Islanders also have Isaiah George in Bridgeport. After his strong play for most of his first NHL stint, he’ll be fighting for a starting spot next season.
If the Islanders can move some of their long-term blue-line contracts, that would be in their best interest. However, players have no-trade clauses in place for a reason.
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It’s clear that Roy, and even general manager Lou Lamoriello, are in favor of he mobile, puck-moving defensemen. You can’t keep everyone, so, well, see if the Islanders try to flip some depth for draft assets.
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