Rumor: Dubas and Lamoriello talking trade?
Reports out of Long Island that Lou could strike a deal with his former protege.
HockeyFeed
The New York Islanders, pegged by many to be a Stanley Cup contender this season, have gotten off to a rocky start in 2021-22, going 5-6-2 through their first 13 games, good enough for dead last in the NHL's Metropolitan Division. The thing is, unlike other divisional bottom feeders like the Ottawa Senators, Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken, no one is throwing in the towel on the season in Long Island. That's because the team has played the fewest games of any NHL team and has still yet to play a home game. The Isles will play their long awaited season opener this Saturday at the brand new, state of the art UBS Arena in Belmont Park.
Now, should the team continue its struggles over the next 10 games, then there's plenty to get concerned about. Still, a team with veteran leaders like Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, Zdeno Chara, Andy Greene and Semyon Varlamov can't be counted out. Still, Isles beat reporter Arthur Staples wonders if GM Lou Lamoriello is eyeing a move on the trade market and, specifically, Staple asks if Lamoriello could make a deal with his former protege Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
From Staple's most recent column from The Athletic:
The other question: If Travis Dermott is available, does Lamoriello jump into the D market this early?
Dermott, who was drafted by the Leafs right before Lamoriello came on board, is still in the Toronto lineup but could be had for the right price. He’s a serviceable left-handed defenseman, and he’s cheap enough to fit under the cap right now for the newly cap-flexible Islanders, who did themselves and the Sabres a favor by sending Johnny Boychuk’s contract to Buffalo last week.
If you need a second- or third-round pick to acquire Dermott, that still leaves the Isles’ first for something bigger down the road. But the asset list gets shorter and the Isles might need as much in stock as possible to get something they may need in March.
- Arthur Staple
I could see Travis Dermott being a good fit for the Islanders, especially with minute muncher Ryan Pulock out long-term due to injury. Currently the Isles' defence features Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, Sebastian Aho (Not that one), Chara, Greene and hot shot prospect Noah Dobson. I feel like Dermott could slot into the second or third pairing pretty easily on this team. Thoughts, Isles fans?
