The New York Islanders have officially lost out on Alex DeBrincat. The Islanders were a contender to land DeBrincat, but the Detroit Red Wings, as some expected, won his services and signed him to a four year contract worth $7.875 million per year.
With the deal soon to be made official, the Islanders have to be diligent from here. Although they failed to land their big fish, they have to figure out a plan B. As a result, if the Islanders want to land a top six talent prior to training camp, who else could they target with DeBrincat bound for Detroit?
Vladimir Tarasenko
A longtime name linked to the Islanders is Vladimir Tarasenko. Tarasenko, 31, split time between the Rangers and Blues this season but was a star in the Gateway City. In 675 career games, he boasts 270 goals and 304 assists for 574 points, with him tallying 50 points in 69 games last year. However, the issue with Tarasenko is he has a long injury list. He got surgery on his shoulder during the 2019-20 season and has spent time on the shelf every season since. As a result, while the offensive instincts and scoring touch might be there, it’s a gamble to throw big money at someone who can’t stay healthy. However, if he comes at a fair price, it may be a gamble the Islanders want to make.
Nikolaj Ehlers
While all eyes are on the Senators and DeBrincat, the Winnipeg Jets are another team in a state of flux. The Jets are starting to transition to a new era of team history, buying out Blake Wheeler and trading Pierre-Luc Dubois earlier this month. Connor Hellebuyck may be on the way out soon as well, so if the Jets are selling, the Islanders can make their move on left winger Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers, 27, provides youth and scoring touch to the Islanders’ lineup. He has six 20 goal campaigns in eight seasons, with his highest being 29 in 2017-18. However, like Tarasenko, he also has issues staying on the ice. He played in all 71 games of the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, but has seen several stretches out of the lineup since. However, with Ehlers four years younger than Tarasenko, the risk is lower and has high reward.
In-House Solutions?
While possibly losing out on DeBrincat stings for Islanders’ management and fans, they may have a solution in front of their eyes. Oliver Wahlstrom, whose name was a in rumors for a trade, may actually be the answer. He showed signs of growth in an early sample under Lane Lambert notching seven goals and nine assists in 35 games. While the numbers may not be impressive on paper, these come with increased playing time after Barry Trotz significantly sheltered his minutes on-ice. He suffered an injury to end his season, but he is expected to be back for training camp. Although he is only 23 and has evidence to improve, this year is make or break for his time in the organization. As a result, although banking on a breakout year is a gamble, it may do wonders for Wahlstrom’s confidence and performance.
Although there also may be other candidates that have not yet been noted, the Islanders need to be flexible in this situation. Too many times has Lamoriello put his eggs in one basket of a major target only for negotiations to fail and have no backup. With DeBrincat now gone, finding that secondary solution is huge for the Islanders’ roster next season.
Stay tuned for more breaking NHL content, including offseason moves, contract updates and more news from every team.
Featured image courtesy of NHL.com
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