Make It Happen Lou

Team: 2023-24 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: Nov. 15, 2023

Published: Nov. 15, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

To start off, I stayed away from players with NMCs/NTCs unless they were being traded from the Isles. In all situations they were going to a better team, so I doubt they'd turn down the trade. Here it goes:

Colorado is very unlikely to give up Devon Toews but might be more apt to do so with the emergence of Byram. They'd be up against a few cap issues going into next season. Both trades would actually help balance out their roster to be a little bit more 2-way/defensive minded and increase their depth. They also help their cap issues. It gives them a bit more space than they'd currently have for next season with fewer holes to fill in. As far as value, it may not be there but it's likely close. As far as the Clutterbuck trade, there are a few west coast teams that would likely be open to taking him on for bottom six help and a bit more toughness for a 6th or 7th round pick. It doesn't have to be Colorado, there are others that would get it done.

Boston and the Isles almost had this exact trade done in the offseason. Not much has changed, Debrusk still seems to be expendable on Boston's side, and it Boston has a few players that are versatile in their ability to play forward positions. Pageau would fit in at many of the center positions having a faceoff win percentage of 61% (better than anyone on their current roster). Plus, Pageau is a good forward. I'm not saying he would slot in up top over Zacha, but likely middle six spot and definitely the top PP center.

I'm not so sure that Kane would sign for 1 year or $5 mil, let alone with the Isles, but it's worth a shot and he'd fill in well in the 2nd line and greatly help out the powerplay. Long term, it's also slightly improved the cap situation. It's certainly better than where it is right now.

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