It’s time for the Islanders’ Plan B.
And that’s clearly looking to improve via the trade market, rather than through free agency. Because the free agent cupboard is relatively empty at this point.
The Islanders lost the top player on the market, their own John Tavares, to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Shortly after the free-agent market opened at noon, their franchise player, selected first overall in 2009, agreed to a seven-year, $77-million deal.
Since then, new president Lou Lamoriello has made some depth signings to shore up the Islanders’ penalty kill and Bridgeport (AHL) roster but has yet to address his non-Tavares top offseason priorities.