Pageau Injury Halted Islanders' Possible Trade Plans Scenario

The New York Islanders are hanging around, but the blow from losing Kyle Palmieri hurts. They are still just out of a playoff spot and have some players playing very well to keep them in it, but trades could still happen ahead of the trade deadline.

Someone like J.G. Pageau is one of the only pending UFAs on the team, so if the Islanders were to sell, he would likely be a player moved now that Callum Ritchie is in the mix. But a plan revealed by Jeff Marek would have worked out nicely if Pageau hadn't gone down with an injury and is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks.

Marek said, "The belief...is that if Cal Ritchie goes down to the American league (AHL)...rips it up for 20-3- games, they'll call him up...and that'll force Mathieu Darche (GM) to make a decision on J.G. Pegeau."

But injuries have kept Ritchie up in the NHL for 15 games now and he hasn't had the chance to rip it up in the AHL, playing just three games and recording three points. He has two goals and three points, playing as the third line center on the Islanders, for the time being. The 20-year-old is only averaging 11:13 of ice time per game, too low for someone in his position and skill. If the injury to Pageau hadn't happened, he would likely be playing top minutes in the AHL and gaining confidence in pro hockey first.

Pageau is going to get the Islanders a good return, but it will be more affordable for teams looking for a rental this season. In years past, when Pageau was in the rumor mill, the price was high because of what he brought to the table. Ritchie has arrived, whether it's too soon or not, but the Islanders also can't allow Pageau to just walk after the season and either miss the playoffs or lose in the first round if he isn't traded.

Even with how some of the Islanders' players are playing this season, their time is coming, but not just yet. The team can afford to trade a strong two-way third-line center for a strong return and improve next season.