NHL Trade Rumors: Islanders looking to add a forward
The New York Islanders are looking to add a forward via the trade market.
Something needs to change with the New York Islanders. Expected to be playoff contenders this season, the Isles are currently one of the worst teams in the NHL. Despite their slow start, they will not be firing head coach Jack Capuano. This puts a lot of pressure on general manager Garth Snow to give Capuano some better players. According to Arthur Staple, New York’s aggressively looking to add a forward.
With @frank_seravalli reporting Snow's vote of confidence for the coaching staff, #Isles are trying hard to make a deal for a forward...
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) November 16, 2016
Snow has given the coaching staff a vote of confidence, meaning the onus is on him to deliver. Part of the problem for the Isles has been their lack of top forward depth. Josh Bailey has been solid alongside captain John Tavares, however, the other top line forward spot has been a bit of a revolving door. Adding a top forward could help stabilize their first line and maybe give New York the spark they need.
The Islanders certainly have the pieces necessary to get a very good forward. They have a number of recent top draft picks who are doing very well. Josh Ho Sang, Michael Dal Colle, Matthew Barzal, and Anthony Beauvillier are all players who could be moved to get a forward.
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According to Elliotte Friedman, New York has been trying to trade for a forward for quite some time.
"I think the Islanders looked for forward help, but couldn’t find a move that made sense. Can’t imagine they’d want to deal many of their talented young prospects."
With a new ownership group, Snow and Capuano are on the hot seat. They both got a chance to show what they can do, but neither has impressed. This could be the last stand for both of them.