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The NHL trade deadline came and went yesterday and the New York Islanders remained quiet.
Instead of making any deals, the Islanders opted to re-sign forwards Cal Clutterbuck and Zach Parise. Clutterbuck’s deal is for two years, while Parise’s extension is for a single season.
The lack of moves came despite the Islanders now being well outside of a playoff spot and with several trade pieces on their roster.
As I said yesterday, I don’t mind the contracts for Clutterbuck and Parise - I think they’ll each bring relatively fair value (moreso Parise's deal than Clutterbuck's though, in my opinion). That said, it’s the fact that no moves were made to try to build for the future that’s the disappointing part. New York has had an aging roster for several years now and seeing the team commit to two players in their mid/late 30s rather than just trading them for picks was questionable at best. There was also always the option to flip them for assets now, then try to bring them back this summer, if management felt so strongly about having them next year.
Even with Clutterbuck and Parise off the board, you have to think other pending unrestricted free agents Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene could’ve brought back some assets, even if it wouldn't have been anything substantial. These are two defensemen who are likely on the verge of retirement that the Islanders still decided to hang onto, rather than getting some picks back for them. It was an opportunity to ship them for assets and let younger players get more of a role while the games don’t mean much, but the Islanders decided not to take it.
There’s also Semyon Varlamov, who was perhaps the team’s largest trade chip. I had said back in the summer even when the Islanders were viewed as a contender that it was at least worth considering to just give the net to Ilya Sorokin and trade Varlamov for some solid picks, as well as cap space.
While it’s fair they didn’t want to throw Sorokin into the starting position with a lack of experience heading into the year, it was a pretty thin goalie market at the deadline and New York likely could’ve gotten back quality assets for Varlamov.
The Islanders are in a spot where despite such a disappointing year, they’re still good enough that they aren’t likely to get a top pick in the upcoming draft and could’ve used the opportunity to add some future assets. Instead, New York opted to stick with their aging roster and are positioned enter the 2022 NHL Draft still down a couple of draft picks.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM MARCH
Islanders end road trip with loss to Avalanche
Islanders lose to Canucks in first game of homestand
Islanders hang on for 2-1 win over Blues
Islanders claim Austin Czarnik off waivers from Kraken
Islanders collapse against Avalanche, late comeback falls short
Islanders win both games of back-to-back vs. Blue Jackets and Jets
Islanders wrap up homestand with win over Ducks
Islanders come up short against Capitals in shootout
Islanders pick up narrow 2-1 win over Rangers
Islanders split back-to-back set with win over Stars, loss to Flyers
Islanders re-sign Cal Clutterbuck and Zach Parise 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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