NYI would need to add -- I guess NSH would take Hickey for that 2nd if they go full rebuild mode, but Bellows + 1st isn't enough for Ekholm retained. Something like 1st + Bellows + Bolduc/Wilde/Salo.

I would add one of them if need be, but I don't know which one the Isles value the most/least of those three. Sounds like NYI is really high on all of them.

But what you're saying is Bellows + Bolduc/Wilde/Salo + Hickey + 1st is fair value? I think the Islanders would have to seriously, seriously consider pulling the trigger on that.

You'd have the keep the 2nd if NSH is taking on Hickey

Oh whoops, missed that. That might be a bit of an overpayment. Can NSH throw in Haula?

Just take out Hickey then. He is the definition of a cap dump and no team would take him without compensation -- a 2nd seems fair to me considering he didn't play in the NHL last year and isn't playing anywhere right now. NSH can get another pick for Haula, so there is no point wasting that potential return here.

so we traded toews for scraps and now we're talking about giving up a 1st + two of our top 6 prospects for Ekholm. Just awful asset management, at this point just give Aho or hickey a shot. Trading a 1st for a Dman is reckless with the situation the isles are in.

I agree w this, an ekholm trade is nice in theory but if it were to happen it’s pretty much impossible to justify trading Toews

And for the love of god this teams issue isn’t defense if they’re going after anyone it’s a winger.. I get that Andy Greene isn’t ideal but doing anything more than something like a 3rd or late rounder for a depth dman would be insanely reckless at this point

Toews is better than Ekholm but isles fans are ready for that conversation. I would be livid if we gave a 1st alone for ekholm lol - the only way to justify trading the 1st in a deal for a young top 6 F with term.

exactly. Tbh I bet hickey would perform better than greene.

I think the isles are close, and they can actually score enough to keep up. But man, outside of those top 2 and Dobson every couple of nights, that defense is in shambles. It'd be ok to admit fault. Not making a move because you'd be admitting to a mistake is how cores get ruined

Mayfield and greene have been awful. Leddy has surprisingly been decent. Move up Dobson with leddy , scratch Greene and put one of hickey/aho with mayfield. There are also plenty of defenseman available for a 3rd rd pick that would be huge upgrades over greene.

Trading 1st rd and 2nd rd picks two years in a row when your prospect pool sucks is how you enter a long and painful rebuild.

Shouldn't the Islanders be adding offense not defense? I'd imagine they would be going after guys like Ryan or Granlund

You guys make a really good point. I'm souring to the idea lol.