At the 2018 NHL trade deadline, the New York Islanders were seven points out of a playoff spot. Their approach to the trade deadline was quite different than it will be in 2019. In 2018, they wanted to make the playoffs but weren’t willing to break the bank to try and do so.
That’s why at last season’s deadline, the New York Islanders swapped Chris Wagner for Jason Chimera with the Anaheim Ducks. Then Garth Snow called up old buddy Peter Chiarelli in Edmonton to acquire defenseman Brandon Davidson for a third-round pick.
A year later, Lou Lamoriello is at the helm of the New York Islanders and his team is a lock for the playoffs with 79 points from 61 games and sitting two points at the top of the Metropolitan Division.