Report card grades for all 31 NHL teams at the trade deadline

New York Islanders: C

Garth Snow and the New York Islanders made two small depth trades at the deadline to help bolster their lineup. The Islanders are only four points out of the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Surprisingly, the Islanders were not more active in trades. Being so close to the playoffs, Snow could have been more aggressive and gotten pieces to help boost his team into the playoffs. Picking up an extra goalie to play behind Halak would have been helpful.

The Islanders did make a trade to build depth on their blue line when they added Brandon Davidson from the Edmonton Oilers for a 2019 third-round pick. Davidson is a decent defenseman who has had a tough time sticking in any spot. A fresh spot in the Islanders organization could help Davidson take that next step. The Islanders also added forward Chris Wagner from the Anaheim Ducks for Jason Chimera. Wagner has played the entire season so far with the Ducks, registering 15 points in 64 games. He will have the same role in New York as a depth forward.

Snow took small steps to better the team, he did not make any extreme moves at the deadline. Instead, he made reasonable acquisitions that will help the team without disrupting the everyday lineup. Ideally, the Islanders would have liked a more proven defenseman compared to Davidson. But the price was right, and Davidson has developmental upside. Snow’s conservative strategy leads to the Islanders getting a C for their effort at the deadline.