New Jersey Devils: Potential Trade Partners Without First Round Picks
By Mike Luci
New York Islanders
After trading the team’s 2020 1st, 2nd, and 2021 2nd-round pick for Andy Greene and center J.P. Pageau, New York Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello put a dent in his team’s supply of quality draft picks. Throw in the fact they have over $40 million tied to seven players through 2021-22, must re-sign RFAs Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock, Devon Toews, and (depending what happens with Ilya Sorokin) UFA netminder Thomas Greiss, it’s going to put Lamoriello in a tight spot.
According to CapFriendly, the Islanders will shed roughly $12 million in salary—probably not enough to re-sign all three of their RFAs, let alone give Greiss the hefty pay raise he’ll likely receive. While Barzal will be their top priority, retaining his services long-term could come at the expense of having to part ways with Pulock and/or Toews.
Any package New Jersey offers centered around one of their 1st-round picks aimed at giving New York cap relief would command a return of Pulock or Toews (possibly both?) at a minimum. Depending on what 1st-round pick the Devils offer, who’s to say New Jersey can’t pry someone like Anthony Beauvillier in addition to Pulock or Toews?