MAPLELEAFSDAILY | NHL TEAM | TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Isles reportedly trying in earnest to move a forward to be able to finalize the Kadri deal

PUBLICATION

Mike Armenti
August 5, 2022 (4:24 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The New York Islanders have been remarkably quiet this offseason, though the silence may simply be Lou Lamoriello not revealing the signings he's completed until he's finished tinkering with his roster and ensuring that the Isles are cap compliant.

To that end, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli and The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta each made some comments this week speculating on who the Isles are looking to move to free up some cap space to be able to accommodate Nazem Kadri's new contract, if there is any truth to the rumours that Kadri is indeed awaiting a finalized deal with the Islanders.

"There are a few different dominos that are eventually going to fall here once this does come into play and is officially finalized. (The Islanders) have some house cleaning they need to do with some of their restricted free agents, my understanding is that's moving forward as well - It's just a matter now with $11 million in cap space, clearing some additional space to make all the pieces fit. The one player that is continuously part of (trade) speculation is Josh Bailey. He's got two years left on his contract, $5 million cap hit, my understanding is that he is a player that is still out there that is somebody they're trying to move. "

-Pagnotta on the possibility of the Isles moving Josh Bailey

Seravalli, on the other hand, believes that it's another forward who will be on the move. During a recent episode of the DFO Rundown, Seravalli stated that if he had to guess who would be on the move to accommodate the Kadri deal, it would be former 28th overall pick Anthony Beauvillier.

"You hear and see the rumors out there and you don't really know quite what to make of it with the New York Islanders because anyone could see them signing Kadri and the fact that it's gone on this long, you think back to last year or two years ago when they announced four signings in September. You gotta move money. Noah Dobson needs a new deal, (Alexander) Romanov needs a new deal. My guess, if the Islanders are indeed signing Nazem Kadri, they're gonna have to move someone and my guess would be Anthony Beauvillier. We've heard his name in the mix to move, and this was pre-(NHL Draft). Clearly, that's the one player the New York Islanders have on their roster that I think they can actually get something of value in return for as opposed to having to push to try and unload a contract."

-Seravalli on potentially moving Anthony Beauvillier

Another option that the two NHL Insiders did not mention was Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has 4 years remaining on his current deal at $5M per season. Naturally, the Beauvillier and Bailey deals would be easier to move at this point, but the Isles do have a number of suitable candidates that they could look to move. Plus, with Mat Barzal in need of a new deal next summer, it may not be a case of which player to move - but rather which player to move first.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Matthews heavily favoured to be the top two-way forward in the league in 2022-23

Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander and Rielly can reach some impressive individual milestones this season

There has been a lot of talk about Kyle Dubas and whether he can get the job done; he has a pivotal season ahead

POLL
5 AOUT \| 443 ANSWERS Isles reportedly trying in earnest to move a forward to be able to finalize the Kadri deal Which forward should the Isles move this summer to make room for Kadri?
Anthony Beauvillier	81	18.3 %
Josh Bailey	178	40.2 %
Jean-Gabriel Pageau	120	27.1 %
Other	64	14.4 %
List of polls