Matthew Tkachuk would clear up an excessive amount of points for the Islanders. However basic supervisor Lou Lamoriello buying and selling for the Flames star doesn't appear probably — principally as a result of it's arduous to see how he may put collectively a aggressive supply and hold his staff beneath the wage cap.
Tkachuk is anticipated to be dealt someday earlier than Aug. 11, after experiences indicated he gained’t signal a long-term extension in Calgary. In any other case, he'll go to arbitration with the Flames, doubtlessly hindering the flexibility of any staff to signal him to an extension as soon as he's traded.
The Islanders already misplaced out on one star Calgary wing from Tkachuk’s personal line this summer season, when Johnny Gaudreau selected the Blue Jackets. Lamoriello has mentioned he’d prefer to make a commerce to enhance the ahead group. Tkachuk, who had a profession season in 2021-22 with 104 factors (42 targets and 62 assists), would definitely try this.
The issue for the Islanders is twofold: what they will supply and the way they’ll be restricted by the wage cap.
First, until there may be an urge for food for one of many Islanders’ core gamers, it appears probably Calgary GM Brad Treliving may get a greater deal elsewhere. Although everybody is on the market on the proper value, Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, Alexander Romanov, Ilya Sorokin and Noah Dobson determine to be near untouchable until Barzal has little interest in a long-term extension as soon as his present deal ends in 2023. There is no such thing as a indication that's the case, and Barzal mentioned on breakup day that he’d like to stay on Lengthy Island for the foreseeable future.
The Blues appear to be on the entrance of the road for Tkachuk, whose father, Keith, performed 9 years in St. Louis. GM Doug Armstrong can supply some mixture of Jordan Kyrou, Vladimir Tarasenko, the highest gamers from a prospect pool that features three latest first-round picks and the staff’s picks over the following three drafts.
If Lamoriello affords Anthony Beauvillier, Oliver Wahlstrom and a few mixture of prospects and future picks, it’s arduous to see how that may be higher. Kyrou’s 75 factors in 2021-22 have been greater than Beauvillier (34) and Wahlstrom (24) had mixed. Maybe somebody in Calgary’s entrance workplace believes Wahlstrom is a famous person in ready. Don’t get your hopes up.
If Tkachuk needs to play in St. Louis, that may make it more durable for the Islanders. And it doesn't assist issues that the Islanders haven’t made a first-round choose since 2019 — which each limits their prospect pool and makes it more durable to half with their 2023 first-rounder.
Then there may be the issue of the wage cap. The Islanders nonetheless have to signal Dobson, Romanov and Kieffer Bellows to extensions that probably will take up most of their present $11.1 million in cap area. Barzal can be in line for a elevate when his contract ends. Tkachuk figures to make greater than his $9 million qualifying supply when an extension is ultimately signed. This math drawback doesn't have an apparent reply for the Islanders.
Possible, it might require offloading both Josh Bailey or Semyon Varlamov along with Beauvillier. Bailey is a profession Islander and, after the Max Pacioretty deal, it’s arduous to see how Lamoriello may transfer his $5 million wage with out giving up one other asset. Lamoriello additionally reiterated on the draft that he has no urge for food for buying and selling Varlamov. Maybe that was a bluff. Once more, don't get your hopes up.
Greater than probably, the Islanders shall be in the identical place with Tkachuk as they have been with Gaudreau: on the skin trying in.
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