Happy Belmont 2021

Team: 2021-22 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 8, 2020

Published: Jun. 8, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

It says Anaheim, but I'm using that team instead as Seattle.
With the Kings, the Isles would trade Leddy and Komarov with the intention of shedding cap. As a result, the return would be poor. What this also accomplishes for the Kings is that it enables them to use Leddy for 2 years as a bridgegap of Mikey Anderson's gradual growth. For those who are saying "why can't the Kings do that with a UFA?" The reason is UFAs tend to want at least 3-4 years minimum, which would hurt Mikey's long-term development as well as making it a potential cap-crunch incase they become a playoff contender in 2022-23 and need to sign others. In this trade, they only deal with an 8.5 million$ hit for 2 years with an additional 8 mil in cap space.
With trading Hickey, the return is minimal but that's not really the point. The point is to get Hickey closer to his family given the tragic circumstances earlier in 2020. They'll still have the cap flexibility to sign depth even after this trade and Brodie's extension and Hamonic's release. Rasmus is ready to shine in that top 4 in the 2020-21 season anyways and the term shows the Flames' objective in that regard.
Now, let's explain this behemoth of a trade to Seattle to get them to take Ladd. They get a bottom pair dman under control for 2 years at a cheap hit; a young goalie prospect; and a dman who won't be as sheltered in Seattle compared to the Islanders as he has potential to shine in the top 4. In addition to the mid-round picks as well as the addition of another potential 2nd, it puts Seattle in a win-win situation. If they make the playoffs, cool! If not, they get another 2nd round pick. Combine with the experience of Ladd and Francis as well as the NHL-ready players and prospects and picks, this is a trade that works on both sides.

Now, onto the Islanders' roster. This is what I think the roster realistically will look like on opening night if they elect to keep Bode Wilde and not trade him in any of these cap dump ideas. If he stays on the team, he will gradually rotate with Boychuk in that bottom pair RHD spot. People will groan about Boychuk still being there, but that's the price you pay to get Seattle to take Ladd. With Bellows, he'd start off on the 3rd line and his growth will determine whether or not he pushes Lee down the 3rd lind. Same with Wahlstrom - who's much more overall ready than Bellows - and Eberle. Koivula is the C/LW/RW hybrid to compliment Cizikas(who they will keep because it's necessary) and Michael Dal Colle will stay with Cizikas as he's arguably the best LW defensive compliment for Casey as well. The increased minutes for the developed top 4 D make the Boychuk and Wilde rotation that much more smoother(if Wilde progresses like Dobson did).

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