The New York Islanders should still pursue a trade for Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty

A New York Islanders trade for Max Pacioretty is a match made in heaven.

The New York Islanders are not only in need of hope, but a skater who has the potential to take advantage of a prime opportunity in being the Islanders’ top skater and leader next season.

New York and Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty are a perfect match for one another, and here’s why.

Yes, the Islanders had interest in acquiring the 29-year-old at the 2018 NHL Draft, but a three-way trade with the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens to bring Pacioretty to New York fell through. However, that doesn’t mean that the Islanders should stop pursuing a player who would blossom in a vacant leadership role on the Island.

The reality is that the Canadiens have lost their leverage in dealing and acquiring the value they once commanded in return for the former first-round draft pick (2007), and the Habs are better off dealing their captain sooner rather than later.

Not only do the Islanders need a credentialed leader such as Pacioretty to fill a void in the team’s lineup after the departure of John Tavares to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Orange and Blue would benefit from a skater that’s looking for a fresh start.

The five-time 30-goal scorer would come to the Islanders with a chip on his shoulder and display the right mentality that the team’s arguably been missing for quite some time now. It would be a perfect formula for both sides to team up and create new magic at the Barclays Center and at Nassau Coliseum as early as this October.

Pacioretty’s confidence would be reborn if he was acquired by New York and the winger’s determination to prove to all doubters wrong, plus rub some success in Montreal’s face, would affect the rest of the team’s culture and performance on the ice in a positive aspect.

Keep in mind that 2012 Masterton Memorial Trophy winner is a New Canaan, Connecticut, native and returning closer to his home-roots could be another antidote for both he and the Islanders’ recipe in getting back on track and back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs sooner than expected.

After feeling completely unwanted in Montreal, one of hockey’s meccas, the captain would come to New York with a sense of being wanted and would also make a smooth transition to another big-time market in the league. Let’s not forget that Pacioretty is entering a crucial contract year, either.

The left-handed shooter is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and one would have to imagine that would factor into Pacioretty’s performance when he takes to the ice in 2018-19. The Isles do have the salary cap space, too ($16,809,167, per CapFriendly).

Now, the Islanders would more than likely have to part ways with some promising and youthful assets, and future first or second-round draft picks, but the timing is right and makes sense to acquire a skater such as Pacioretty.

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The Islanders need Pacioretty just as much as he needs New York.