NHL Trade Rumors: 3 teams who should trade for Vladimir Tarasenko

3. New York Islanders

Why they’d make sense: The New York Islanders need some help on offense. Entering Dec. 13, they rank 24th in the league in goals scored per game. Tarasenko would give them a much-needed boost. They’ve been struggling ever since losing John Tavares. Mathew Barzal is doing perfectly fine, but he hasn’t taken that huge step up the Isles believed he was ready to take.

Tarasenko would give the Islanders two bonafide goal scorers (assuming they re-sign Anders Lee). Barry Trotz proved with the Washington Capitals he can get the best out of guys like Tarasenko. He got the best out of Ovechkin, but the Islanders obviously aren’t getting him. So why not get the next best thing – Tarasenko?

Why they might not: The big question with the Islanders and Tarasenko is going to be the price. They should be fine regarding the salary cap even after factoring in a likely extension for Lee. However, the Islanders might not have the pieces to get Tarasenko.

They’ve got a first-round pick, so that helps. If they’re willing to trade Jordan Eberle, that might even net them a second one. As far as young players, the Islanders could offer either Ryan Pulock or Anthony Beauvillier.

The issue is, which prospect are the Blues going to ask for? And the answer isn’t one the Islanders are going to like. It’ll be either Oliver Wahlstrom, Ilya Sorokin, or Noah Dobson. That’s what happens when you have three great prospects – teams want them.

Negotiating the prospect cost down to, say, Kieffer Bellows is an option. But do the Islanders have the assets to offer elsewhere to account for the difference? And would they be willing to part with those assets? Knowing Lou Lamoriello, the Islanders will at least kick the tires on Tarasenko.