4 Players Linked To Islanders Amidst Surprising Season

Not many thought that the New York Islanders, the season after trading their number one defenseman, would be in a playoff spot at Christmas and six games above .500 almost halfway through the season. But here we are with a new young phenom in Matthew Schaefer, some skilled players stepping up, and a solid supporting cast.

If the Islanders stay in this position in a tight Eastern Conference race, they will be looking for upgrades. The New York Post already connected four names to them, saying, "Kiefer Sherwood, Mario Ferraro, Matias Maccelli, and Nick Leddy could be options for the Islanders."

The Vancouver Canucks may have been undefeated since trading Quinn Hughes until the Philadelphia Flyers finally beat them, but the Canucks are still three games under .500 and second last in the NHL in points. They have a long way to go to make the right decision not to sell. With that being said, Sherwood is a valuable trade target that many teams seem to want. The Islanders, having $1 million in cap space, could use a cheaper option to upgrade and can be a team that extends an offer for an extension Sherwood is looking for.

With Alexander Romanov out of action after right shoulder surgery, the Islanders do need another everyday defenseman, and Adam Boqvist or Marshall Warren aren't going to cut it down the stretch. Ferraro is a solid defensive defenseman who can play up and down the pairings. Ferraro is going to be a UFA after the season and has a cap hit of $3.25 million AAV, so it's workable if a little money is moved out.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been trying to move Maccelli as he isn't a fit on the team. He has proven in the past that he plays a quick game and has great vision for passing the puck. The Islanders need more scoring in their bottom-6 and he could be a low-cost option for them and potentially bounce back.

The San Jose Sharks have too many defensemen, and whether they're sellers, buyers, or stand pat, they need to move one sooner than later. Leddy is worse than Ferraro and has a $4 million AAV cap hit, but would be much cheaper to acquire for the Islanders, and it would be a reunion to the team Leddy played his best years on. He has only played 14 games because of the logjam, but if the Islanders could get him for $2 million AAV, maybe it's an option.