4 Players Islanders Could Acquire Without Giving Up 1st Round Pick

The Islanders aren't in a position to trade to trade a first this year and need to get creative with other cost-efficient options

The season has been far from ideal and that complicates things for the New York Islanders ahead of the March 8 trade deadline. They need to avoid giving up a first-round pick, meaning prominent names including Pavel Buchnevich and Jake Guentzel would be out of the question.

Currently, the team sits seven points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. It’s not an ideal position for any NHL organization to be in. The Islanders aren’t bad enough to be a lottery team nor is it good enough to make contending moves. Plus, they have traded multiple first-round picks in recent years to try and contend for the Stanley Cup.

Players are available for Lou Lamoriello to find on a budget (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

You put everything together and that would explain why it wouldn’t be in the organization’s best interest to pay a premium on a significant piece for a playoff run. Stefen Rosner, Islanders beat writer for The Hockey News told The Hockey Writers that while ownership will be “hesitant” to move a first-round pick, president and general manager Lou Lamoriello will have full authority on roster decisions ahead of the deadline.

“Lamoriello has the power there and Scott Malkin (Islanders majority owner) trusts him,” Rosner said.

But what if the front office can still add an impact player without giving up a first-round pick? The one piece of good news for the Islanders is the biggest need is a winger and rentals playing that position aren’t as expensive as centers. For example, the New York Rangers got Frank Vatrano, who played on the first line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider for only a fourth-round selection in 2022.

But keep in mind that some moves will require creativity, given that the Islanders currently have about $1.7 million in cap space with a couple of players on long-term injury reserve. Below are four players who play wing that might be able to be acquired sacrificing a first-round pick. Plus, some of our team’s writers weighed in on what the cost could look like to trade for them.

Jordan Eberle

One of the biggest mistakes Lamoriello has made was letting Jordan Eberle go so he could protect Matt Martin in the expansion draft. Now, the Islanders have a chance at a reunion and the team certainly misses his scoring.