Creating balance at the deadline

Isles accept

What? No they wouldn't. They're getting absolutely no value in this deal whatsoever.

It'll likely take a 2nd and a mid round pick just to move Koskinen (who's at best zero value, but he's hovering towards negative value because the team needs cap space), and Turris has basically been non existent his entire career with Edmonton. At least Cizikas plays a physical, defensive role so he has some value (despite the horrendous contract)

So where the value now for Varlamov and Cizikas? New York is essentially giving them away for nothing to Edmonton for no reason. They both can be moved for assets that can be used instead of wastes of roster spots

HORRIBLE trade for the Islanders. Varlamov will be Edmonton's starter next season while Koskinen and Turris are UFAs and will be gone because their on-ice value is nearly zero. Meanwhile, Cizikas is a viable bottom-6 forward with term and, while expensive, has demonstrated value. Two future draft picks don't come close to bridging the gap; in fact, the trade would be a close decision only if you removed Varlamov from it completely (along with the fourth).

To put it another way, who's the player New York gets to put on the ice before 2025?

bump the picks in the islanders trade up to a first and a third and i think it works

Varlamov can be had, but you have to keep in mind a couple things

1. The Islanders don't have, nor want to trade him. He's still loved by the team and the fans.
2. The Islanders no longer have cap issues

With that in mind, you're going to have to over pay to some extent to get him. More so if you want to include Cizikas whom I do not believe Lou would even contemplate trading.