3 More NY Islanders Trade Candidates Not Named Brock Nelson

It seems like a Brock Nelson trade is inevitable for the New York Islanders, as the pending UFA intends to test the open market next summer, and has plenty of interested parties around the NHL right now. But he isn't the only player that could be on the way out by the trade deadline.

The Islanders are currently 7th in the Metropolitan Division, and have lost six of their last nine games, including an embarrassing 7-1 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres, and a loss to Toronto on Tuesday where head coach Patrick Roy pulled off one of the most bizarre coaching moves you'll see.

Russ Macias of NYI Hockey Now names three more players, not named Brock Nelson, who could be on the move as well:

Kyle Palmieri

Another impending UFA, Palmieri could also bring in a nice trade return, as the 33-year-old is coming off a 30-goal season last year—his first—and is nudging close to that pace again this year, with 12 goals and 26 points in 38 games while playing a career-high 18:41 per night. If the Islanders are out of the playoff picture as we get closer to the trade deadline, Palmieri could bring back a very high draft pick or a young prospect.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Macias writes that "chatter" around JGP has picked up of late, as the middle-six center has just one season left on his contract, at a $5M cap hit. The physical, two-way player, who also helps on the power play and the PK unit, would have plenty of suitors.

Matt Martin

The 35-year-old enforcer and "hit" man doesn't have a ton left in the tank, but he's still handed out 56 hits in 20 games this season, with only 8:10 of ice time per contest. And he provides a leadership presence. All of that can come in handy come playoff time. He's on a one-year, minimum-salary deal.