The New York Islanders have quietly been one of the better stories in the NHL this season. Tied for second place in the Metropolitan Division and 8-2 in their last 10 games heading into Friday’s March 6 trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET, New York has suddenly emerged as a legitimate postseason contender.
Now it’s up to first-year GM Mathieu Darche to decide whether to stay the course or make a move — and all signs suggest he’s making calls.
The Islanders have built their surprising campaign on the back of strong team defense, elite goaltending from Ilya Sorokin, and enough offense to win games despite ranking 21st in league scoring and 31st in power play percentage. That offensive shortfall is now the primary lens through which every deadline conversation is being viewed.
Four names have emerged repeatedly in trade discussions around the league. Let’s break down the latest intel on the Islanders’ top trade targets
Conor Garland: Serious Talks, Rising Price
The hottest rumor as of Wednesday involves Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland.
Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News confirmed the two teams have been in serious discussions, with Rick Dhaliwal also placing New York firmly in Vancouver’s orbit.
Garland’s appeal is straightforward: his six-year, $6M AAV extension doesn’t kick in until next season, making any deal a long-term acquisition rather than a rental. He’s averaged better than a point every other game since joining Vancouver, with 55 power-play points underlining exactly the skill set the Islanders lack.
The complication is cost.
Vancouver is reportedly seeking a first-round pick and a bidding war has formed. A follow-up from Rosner suggests New York may already be stepping back from the table due to Vancouver’s asking price.
Jordan Kyrou: Elite Scorer on the Block
Two weeks ago, we reported that the Islanders were among the frontrunners for Jordan Kyrou, and Elliotte Friedman has since confirmed St. Louis is open to offers.
The Hockey News’ Julian Gaudio reported Darche personally called St. Louis to express interest.
Kyrou has compiled 365 points in 467 career games and remains one of the league’s premier forwards. He’s the kind of high-end winger who would slot alongside Barzal and elevate the power play immediately.
He carries an $8.125M cap hit with five years remaining. Salary retention from St. Louis would likely be needed to make the math work.
The asking price could include top prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Danny Nelson — two of the jewels from the Dobson trade — making this a genuine gut-check for Darche.
Robert Thomas: The Biggest Fish in the Pond
Robert Thomas is the most coveted player available and the most expensive. The 26-year-old Blues center has posted back-to-back 80-point seasons, excels in the faceoff circle, and brings two-way qualities that fit Patrick Roy’s system.
Elliotte Friedman confirmed the Islanders are among the teams connected, alongside Boston, Montreal, and Detroit, among other teams.
The fit is easy to envision: Thomas at center pushes Barzal back to the wing, creating a top-six dynamic that would be genuinely difficult to neutralize. But he’s in year three of an eight-year, $65M deal and carries a full no-trade clause, meaning he controls his destination.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Blues’ asking price is steep enough that even the front-running Sabres are being asked to move four assets. New York’s two 2026 first-round picks give them leverage, but the bar is high.
Owen Tippett: The Under-the-Radar Fit
The name generating the most buzz among Islanders fans is Philadelphia’s Owen Tippett.
Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco reported New York as a legitimate destination, and ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski flagged him as an elite forward with significant term left on his current deal.
The case is strong: 19 goals this season, a 54.0 xGF% at 5-on-5, and 98th-percentile skating speed — a profile that pairs naturally with Barzal’s game.
His eight-year, $6.2M AAV deal runs through 2031-32, and his trade protection doesn’t kick in until next season.
The obstacle is Boston, which has been the most aggressive suitor. But if the Bruins fail to land him, Darche may be next in line.
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