4 Teams With Interest In Islanders' Pageau If He's Traded

The New York Islanders could capitalize on J.G. Pageau's strong 2024-25 season by trading him at a higher value, but could also hold onto him and hope to climb back into the playoff picture. He has one year left on his $5 million AAV deal and the 32-year-old is a solid third line center with very good two-way abilities.

Whether there's a good enough offer to move him this offseason or the Islanders decide to trade him ahead of the 2026 trade deadline because they aren't in the race, there is interest and teams looking for a player that can produce and defend well.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets won the Presidents' Trophy last season and are looking to not only do that again, but have a deeper playoff run. Pageau would certainly help them down the middle in a place where they are notably weaker than the rest of their lineup. Cole Perfetti is much more likely to be used on the wing, but the second and third line center roles are between Jonathan Toews and Vlad Namestnikov. If Pageau was in the mix, Namestnikov could be moved to the wing or anywhere around the lineup. Acquiring Pageau would also give the Jets better depth this coming year.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have plenty of cap space to add another body and have room left over. Bringing in Pageau would bolster the center of the ice so the team is able to move Jesperi Kotkaniemi down or even trade him. I think Pageau would fit in very nicely on the Hurricanes due to his strong defensive play and it wouldn't be that tough for him to play on the second line as Jordan Staal has the third line locked down. There are a number of assets Carolina could use to better themselves, and they need to find a way to get over the conference finals hump.

Boston Bruins

While the Boston Bruins could go the direction of retooling over the next year or two, they could also look to start addressing their needs right now. I would be very wary of Boston acquiring Pageau without a contract extension as he could easily head to free agency after next season, but with one, he could be a good answer to the second or third line center role the Bruins desperately need. Sean Kuraly should be their fourth line center, but because of the lack of talent, will be punching above his weight class next season and that, along with other issues, will hold the Bruins back.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have some better forward prospects on the way, but most of them aren't just yet ready for a full time NHL role. This would make a one-year rental the perfect addition to complete their lineup for this coming season with cap space to spare. It would pull Vinnie Hinostroza out of an everyday role and into the press box while bolstering the center and wing positions at the same time by moving Ryan Hartman over to the wing. Pageau's two-way play also fits well with the Wild as they can score, but win more by keeping the puck out of their net.