Team: 2017-18 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: May 4, 2017

Published: May 4, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Put yourself in Tavares' shoes for a second, why stay in NY? They've failed to make the playoffs consistently even with a perennial hart trophy candidate and what was this year a pretty good supporting cast.

The biggest need for this team long term is in goal. Murray is a future Vezina candidate, but with how Fleury's been playing these playoffs it's hard to see Pittsburgh letting go of him, plus he has a no-trade clause, so their hands are somewhat tied if they were to trade him. Maata is a good, young top four D that fills a need for NY but also clears cap space for PIT. They'll be reluctant let him go but a one-two punch of Crosby/Malkin(who moves back to RW) and Tavares/Kessel is to good to resist. Schultz's emergement as a legit top four D helps to soften the blow.

Minnesota gets three good depth players all at a bargain price for a solid (but not great) forward prospect in Kunin.

Colorado gets two relatively young roster players in exchange for taking on the last year of Grabo's contract (which also helps them reach the cap floor)

STL gets a good backup goalie and a fringe starter incase Allen continues to be inconsistent in the regular season. Schmaltz is a solid D prospect with top four potential.

Finally Vegas picks up the last year of Kulemin's contract, though he should still be good for 20 points on a third line role, in exchange for a 2018 second.

The overall goal is to be a contender about three years from now. NYI has enough prospects already in the pipeline to not have to go through a full rebuild, and the addition of Murray, Maata, Kunin and Schmaltz fills the pipeline even more.

Let me know what you think!

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