The New York Islanders playoff hopes hang in the balance as a critical eight-game stretch approaches. Can a bold trade for Jordan Kyrou spark a turnaround, or should GM Mathieu Darche stay the course and focus on long-term building? Gil Martin breaks down the Islanders’ dire need for scoring depth, the ongoing debate over sacrificing prospects for short-term gains, and why Kyrou could be the perfect fit—if the price is right.
Key discussion points include Anders Lee and JG Pageau’s futures, the importance of Bo Horvat’s potential return, and upcoming clashes against playoff contenders like the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers. With the Olympic break and trade deadline looming, every win or loss could shape the Islanders’ strategy. Don’t miss Gil Martin’s sharp analysis on lineup changes, deadline decisions, and how this pivotal stretch could define the Islanders’ season.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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27 Comments
BLOWS are a tdl target for many teams. if you can get blows to take 7 or st. L native 24 in a deal for kyrou then do it. kyrou is expensive at $8.125 for 4 more seasons after this season.
in other news b'port isles are headed to hamilton. hamilton did a 2 year re-do of copps for a reason. bye bye b'port. give louzer and louzer jr. a nice fk you before leaving as they left b'port fans with utter shit for fans to suffer thru during louzer/louzer jr. era.
also there is a y t poll asking which goalie deserves the vezina out right now-gibson, l. thompon, vas, or 30? 30 leads the poll. i didn't hesitate to give 30 a vote. VOTE 30 NOW.
The Islanders should retire Ed Westphal's number 18 and Chico Resch's number 1. Resch's shutout record was just broken, and while he wasn't the starting goalie throughout the 1980 playoffs, he was still on the team. Resch was a multiple All-Star during the 1970s and in their first run in the 1975 playoffs, I think he played more than Bill did. You'll have to let me know if it's true, Gil. The fact that Chico isn't even in the team's HOF is truly ridiculous.
I have been cheering for the Oilers the last couple of playoffs. I firmly believe if they would have acquired pager they would have won the cup. They were terrible on face-offs in the finals. They should talk to Edmonton and demand a 1st rounder.
So you want Darche to call Doug Armstrong and offer the first round pick the Islanders picked up from Colorado, Drouin, Tsyplakov, and Mayfield for Kyrou? After he stops laughing…he should ask for…at the very least…the Islanders first in 2026, the Islanders second in 2027, JG Pageau and Calum Ritchie. If I was Armstrong that's where I would go…how's that sound to you Gil?😊
I agree with your statement, Gil. Darche doesn't need to add snipers in season. He absolutely needs to deal 44, 27 & should consider 3, 11, 53, Drouin, 7, 49, 77, Boquist & prospects like Odelius that probably blocked by other prospects.
I’d be so happy if St Louis would be willing to take Mayfield (and he agrees to waive the no-trade he should have never been given as a bottom pair guy).
7:00 I wouldn't mind tweaking your proposal and landing Robertson from Dallas
OMG, the Sabers are about to Eat our lunch. Yeah Gil my good sir, we Absolutely Cannot let their record trick us into believing that 1 or 2 expensive additions will put us in the cup favorites category. Even though we're having an amazing season, it's our FIRST in a very VERY long time, we've had little changes in the roster, and we can easily see it go up in flames if rushed. I don't think I can handle going from the most optimistic I have been in 3.5 decades to receiving an apologetic letter from our GM! I can't do it!!!
How about our Colorado pick n Romanov? So they have a good young strong D man under term for their rebuid but also have to take Mayfield? Think Blues take it? For Isles you have Schaefer Pelelch n by trading Romanov leaves room Achkinson, George, Warren etc.. To compete for job. Then if you flip Lee or JPG Try get 3rd pair solid Right 3rd pair stay at home Dman with term?
Horvat’s absence is a huge hole. I wouldn’t make moves until you see how things are with him back in lineup
I agree with you Gil. No rentals, we need to build the future around Schaefer. Buffalo is going to be tough tomorrow; they have been hot lately and played one hell of a game in Montreal last night. They’re finally starting to look like a team that believes it can punch above its weight, and that makes them dangerous for anyone who takes them lightly. Have a great weekend Gil. LGI
Whoever doesn't have a contract for next season, should be considered for trade for a quality return. I still like the team, however for business and future purposes, a change or two should be considered… nevertheless the isles are still in a playoff qualifying spot…..for now….. Go Isles!
This team will not make playoffs. Too many holes. Nice start but time to trade Lee, Pageau, Drouin….Hope I am wrong. Sabres red hot and a Saturday matinee at home means a 5 2 loss for NYI.
Mayfield is a stiff…no one would be stupid enough to want him.
It's been an enjoyable team to watch for sure and the future is bright.
I honestly think Kyrou may fetch less than what we are thinking here because he hasn’t been in the good graces of the blues organization, has been rumored since last season to be moved and is pretty streaky. With that said he’s still a hell of a player an if Colorados 1st/Tsyplakov/Drouin/Mayfield could get it done I would do it and it is a win win from both sides, now hear me out. If this is done before the deadline St Louis could turn around and flip Douin to a contender and get more capital, probably a second to a desperate team. Isles free up some cap space and get a great winger. Mayfield gets to go home which he would probably waive his NTC for.
Now I want to propose a trade not many people are thinking about, Laine for Tsyplakov, Laine has no spot on the Habs lineup and was injured last year and coming back any game now. I think it’s a gamble but the possibility of Laine at 26 he’s on an expiring deal and if he can find his game it could be very enticing.
If they don’t land Kyrou I would also like to see them make a run at Petterson if Vancouver is retaining some salary, his history with Horvat speaks for itself and he is still young-ish. I think the deal would be similar to the proposed Kyrou deal except they want a young center man and we can move on from this player since we see how well world junior players turned out in the past, the deal would be Colorados 1st/Nelson/Pulkkinen/Drouin, again Drouin could be flipped if they don’t want to keep him.
As for expiring deals I would think long and hard about keeping Pageau, his next deal will be team friendly, his face off circle and PK is worth it, he can be moved down the lineup if Cizikas is moved, which I hate to think of, just give his sticks to Duclair if we keep him. I would move Lee as well to a contender, sometimes you can force their hand to give up a decent prospect. Tony D can be moved for something as well, he’s been serviceable and bailed us out when we needed it. Spots need to be made for Warren & George this year and Aiche next. Don’t know what they do about a RH D, that’s a discussion for another day.
To land JK it will cost 💲 no less than Shabby, Eiserman, and The Avs 1 st at a minimum. Perhaps an additional mid tier prospect or a 3 rd rd pick. I do think the first proposal is fair but could be a bigger expanded deal . The next 8 games will determine if we make the playoffs or not! Darche will know better after these next 8 games.
Trade anyone above 30 rebuild like san Jose Sharks have 5 20 years olds with big time skills
No not kyeiu he will be age 30 when Matthew will be 20 nior you need someone age 24 or 25
The standard is Florida panther or Colorado they ain't beating those teams in 7 game so get rid and rebuild
Trade pageau kee Nd ducksur for young picks and young players to rebuild with shaeffer
Good 🌅, Gil. How are you? Who's going to be trade bait for the Islanders? Will Matheiu Darche make any deals before the Olympic Break? If Darche is going to make any deals, HE SHOULD LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE. It will ❄️ in the 🌞 when the Islanders make a deal with the Rangers. Jordan K? He's having an ugly season on St. Louis. If they get him, that means somebody's got to go. The next games are going to be crucial for the Islanders
Their first crucial game is against 🦬, then there's the Flyers, then a home 🏠 and 🏠 series against the Rangers. Then, they finish this stretch against Nashville and the Capitals. We will see what Matheiu Darche does. The Islanders play the Sabres tomorrow at 1 pm. The Sabres are a far cry from the team that lost 13 in a row before last 🎄. Marc Gatcomb is back in the lineup tomorrow. Patrick Roy was wrong to sit him out. HAPPY 🎂, CHRIS FERRARO. He had 2 assists in a tie against Vancouver. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I compare Patrick Roy to Michael Corleone from the Godfather for his IQ and strategy and need to keep quiet before he carries out his plans. As for Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone, he has fiercely protective of the ranch, and he's got a bad side. I saw a clip of him fighting and the opponent jersey was ripped. He could make Smitty look like an 😇, and that's something I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SAY. Now, LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
Hi Gil—-heck of a show! Here is my issue with Karyou—-if you acquire him, you almost have to keep Lee and JG and I don’t want to do that. I like Kayrou but Mayfield has to be part of that trade. I’ve had enough of his crap play. What do I prefer? Try, try and get number 1’s for both Lee and JG—-and go in absolutely loaded in a very deep draft. Call up Eiserman, Nelson and a D man and throw them into the fire the last stretch run. Gil——I want a Cup contending team for 10 years! This is the way to go but I feel Kayrou is a very good player that would be part of the future. I would not object to it. I trust Darche for anything—-yet the key to a playoff run will be toughness and Sandpaper. Canes now have a tough big Russian——they are not stupid. We need push back. We will have a very rough go of it in a series. Schaf will get way more targeted than even Potvin did in the 79 series. Sorry, sandpaper is a must this TDL.
The return we would get on Lee and Pager wont be much. We value them more as Isles fans a lot more than the NHL values them. (Lee's incredible leadership ability and Pagers face offs and PK)
Point being Im OK keeping them, letting their contract expire and letting them sign elsewhere as long as the team gets younger and we clear some cap space. No need to trade them for a 2nd round pick
We need great progress as an organization this season, build off of it, dont kill it.
Please no. Darche will overpay and I don't want to give up any draft picks or assets. Just build from the bottom up. Schaefer, Ritchie, and Heineman is a great foundation from which to create another Stanley Cup Champion Dynasty. Buffalo looks strong after firing their GM Adams. Darche needs to stay the course and focus on moving veterans for picks, like Lee, Pageau, Duclair.
Down 3-0 to Buffalo, with 10 minutes left. On a brighter note, I love Heineman's aggressiveness. Five shots on goal for the kid.
Pathetic showing today 5-0. Drouin third most minutes among forwards and a minus 2 and on the power play? How is this possible? He needs to sit or be on the 4th line and of the power play. Gatcomb sits again and MacLean plays? Roy is starting to lose me as a supporter.Sell forget about adding sell this team only wins when Sorokin stands on his head.