5 potential trade targets who could salvage Islanders’ playoff hopes

The New York Islanders' playoff aspirations are - for the time being - beginning to fade.

After an encouraging victory over the Vegas Golden Knights last week, the club has struggled mightily coming out of the All-Star break, dropping consecutive contests to the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs by a combined score of 9-1.

New York has also gone 2-4-1 over its last seven games and continues to struggle keeping pucks out of the net. In fact, the Islanders are giving up a league-worst 3.62 goals per game despite running the third-most potent offense.

With the trade deadline looming, it's time for general manager Garth Snow to pull the trigger on at least one move to shore up the defensive end. So, here are five potential players the Islanders should be looking to nab to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Ryan McDonagh, Rangers

The Islanders could use someone who can come in and improve the on-ice product with not just their play, but their mentorship. That's what makes McDonagh a prime candidate.

It was reported last week that the New York Rangers could be preparing to blow things up, and that includes potentially dealing their captain.

McDonagh would easily be an upgrade for the Islanders' defense corps, but could also help show youngsters such as Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and Thomas Hickey the ropes.

The 28-year-old has one more year on his contract after this, so he would be more than just a rental, but for a team that's been so poor in its own end, that could be a blessing.

Robin Lehner, Sabres

Goaltending has been the Islanders' biggest pitfall this season - that's a fact.

Both Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss have done an awful job of keeping pucks out of the net, ranking last in the league in goals allowed.

Halak has actually been the better of the two, even while giving up an average of 3.16 goals per game and rocking a save percentage of .909. That's because Greiss is giving up 3.94 goals per game and stopping pucks at an .887 clip.

Enter Lehner, who's playing on a poor Buffalo Sabres team but has put together a respectable 2.85 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. He even enjoyed back-to-back shutouts over the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks last week.

Lehner would be a much more dependable option for the Islanders, and with the 26-year-old set to become a free agent at season's end, a trade could serve as a tryout to see if he's worth putting pen to paper with on a new contract this offseason.

Petr Mrazek, Red Wings

Another potential option between the pipes is Petr Mrazek.

The Detroit Red Wings puck-stopper is currently among the hottest goalies in the league. Mrazek has gone 3-0-1 in his last five games, putting up a save percentage of .965 and a goals-against average of 1.02.

He'll be a restricted free agent after this season, but with the Red Wings in selling mode, with Jimmy Howard still locked up for next year, and with Mrazek making $4 million as a backup, he's likely to be dealt.

As for the Islanders, he'd be an upgrade over the other two goaltenders on the roster, and he's young.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Senators

With the Ottawa Senators sitting just outside the basement of the Eastern Conference, the team will almost certainly be selling off assets ahead of the deadline.

With that, a name that should garner some interest from the Islanders is Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The versatile forward can put the puck in the back of the net, proved last year he can elevate his game in the playoffs, and most importantly can play in the defensive zone.

Pageau remains one of the Senators' top penalty killers, something the Islanders are dying for. The club's penalty kill ranks 30th league-wide, having given up 39 goals with a man in the box. The 25-year-old can help with that, and even has a knack for scoring shorthanded.

Ian Cole, Penguins

Ian Cole might not be the superstar the Islanders want, but he could be the depth option they need.

The Pittsburgh Penguins defender won't contribute a ton offensively, but what he does in his own end should be appealing.

Cole is playing an average of 2:32 of shorthanded ice time per game, the third-most among Penguins defenders, and also leads the club with an average of two blocked shots per game.

The 28-year-old is cap-friendly, making just $2.1 million this season, and given the Penguins were actively shopping him back in late November, it shouldn't take much to make a deal.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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