Rumor: New York Islanders To Acquire Sami Vatanen

The New Jersey Devils have received a significant amount of media attention within the last month. From the trading of Taylor Hall, to the recent firing of GM Ray Shero, the spotlight on this organization is never seems to fade. Interim GM Tom Fitzgerald has been fielding calls for Sami Vatanen and it looks like a deal with the Islanders is nearly complete.

Elliotte Friedman's hockey blog "31 Thoughts" outlines how Sami Vatanen may be available as he is a UFA on July 1st, 2020 and there have not yet been any talks of a contract extension. Moreover, the Islanders are in need of a solid defenseman on their blue line and their roster lacks depth on the back end. They also have a considerable amount of cap space that will enable them to complete the transaction.

The return for Vatanen is likely to include a prospect and two draft picks, but one of these picks are likely to be conditional on him re-signing with the Islanders.