5 Players The New York Islanders Should Trade Right Now

By Will Billinghurst

5 Players The New York Islanders Should Trade Right Now

New York Islanders — The New York Islanders have the makings of a top NHL team, but aren't quite there yet. Despite a top line putting up lots of points and great goaltending; the Islanders are just managing to stay in the Wild Card playoff spot. The problem is that the Islanders have a number of players that aren't meeting expectations and need to go. Here are five players the New York Islanders need to trade right now.

5. Marek Zidlicky

Marek Zidlicky

5. Marek Zidlicky

Marek Zidlicky — At 38 years old, Marek Zidlicky is nearing the end of his career. His contract up at the end of the season and the Islanders need to move him. They might not get much in return, but trading Zidlicky would at least free up a spot and give some of New York's young defensemen a shot at the NHL.

4. Cal Clutterbuck

Cal Clutterbuck

4. Cal Clutterbuck

Cal Clutterbuck — The Islanders need to improve on the wing and Cal Clutterbuck is one winger that needs to go. Last season Clutterbuck finished with just 16 points, and in 22 games this season he has six points. With his decent start to the season it could increase interest for other teams to trade for him.

3. Nikolay Kulemin

Nikolay Kulemin

3. Nikolay Kulemin

Nikolay Kulemin — Another winger that needs to go is Nikolay Kulemin. With three years left on his contract, he's worth just over $4 million a year. It's evident that Kulemin is overpaid for what he contributes. Last season he finished with just 31 points and has only eight points in 22 games this season. Signing Kulemin to that contract was a mistake, which the Islanders need to fix by trading him.

2. Mikhail Grabovski

Mikhail Grabovski

2. Mikhail Grabovski

Mikhail Grabovski — When the Islanders signed Nikolay Kulemin to his four year contract, they did the same with Mikhail Grabovski. Grabovski also has three years left on his contract, which is worth $5 million a year. He finished last season with just 19 points in 51 games and only has nine points in 22 games this season. Grabovski isn't performing to expectations, so he needs to go.

1. Travis Hamonic

Travis Hamonic

1. Travis Hamonic

Travis Hamonic — Travis Hamonic is a player that the Islanders wouldn't ever think of trading, but are forced to after reports leaked that Hamonic wants to be traded in order to be closer to his family in Manitoba. This restricts trading options to Western Conference teams with the most likely options being with the Minnesota Wild or the Winnipeg Jets. The Islanders should get a sizable return, which will help soften the blow of losing Hamonic.

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New York Islanders

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