Team: 2017-18 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 6, 2017

Published: Dec. 6, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I understand the pipe dream, but the reality is that Barzal is one of the true few untouchable players in this league right now. Here is why he would not be involved in any trade that I've seen on Armchair GM recently.

1) Patches essentially has 1.5 years left on his contract and will command close to $7M AAV. Whereas Barzal is on year 1 of his ELC and is controllable at a lessor cost for longer.
2) Patches is on pace for 45 points this season. Barzal? 78.
3) The Islanders are thin at Center after JT, this makes us considerably worse at the position. Having Barzal behind JT for another half decade plus is a huge talking point to 91 re-signing.
4) Age. Barzal is a full 10 years younger than Patches.
5) The Isles don’t need Lindgren. We have our own stud goalie prospect(s) who are arriving soon. Linus Soderstrom was loaned to the SHL but he is signed and wants to come over. Ilya Sorokin is another story, but there is still a chance he plays here as well.
6) The 1st is irrelvant at the moment. We have 2 already and if anything need to use that currency towards a legit Top-4 and/or goalie with immense playoff experience like Rask or Crawford. (I realize this sounds contradictory to my goalie comment, but these are legit names that make a difference today versus a prospect a year or two away)

I’m not saying I wouldn’t trade for Patches. But it would not include Barzal in any package. Nelson/1st/Dal Colle is much more realistic.