NY Islanders Trade Rumors: 2 Players To Be on Target Lists for Teams

The New York Islanders are struggling this season at 8-9-5, not currently in the playoff picture at this early juncture of the season. It's possible that boss man Lou Lamoriello could start to look at dealing off some veterans as the season moves along, and there are two prime players at the top of their offensive charts to keep an eye on.

Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri are both in the final years of their contracts, set to become unrestricted free agents at season's end, and according to insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, "I don't believe they've had any serious negotiations yet on contract extensions with either player."

Pagnotta adds that they will both be prime targets for teams looking for an offensive upgrade as we get into trade season, and they each have a "decent cap hit for their production."

Nelson, 33, is in the final season of his 6-year, $6M cap hit, and is following up three straight 30+ goal seasons, just on pace for another one, with eight markers in 22 games so far. As a second-line center, he would be a tremendous fit, for example, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as Pagnotta suggests, as a team that is very much in need of a 2C.

Palmieri, also 33, is wrapping up his four-year deal with a $5M cap hit, and leads the Islanders with 10 goals and 19 points in 22 games. He found the net 30 times last season, and has six 20+ goal campaigns in his 15-year career. There will be plenty of teams searching for a top-six scorer like Palmieri.