Blockbuster Trade Is on the Table for NY Islanders Star

The New York Rangers could be open to a blockbuster trade involving one of their stars.

Nov 22, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders General Manager Mathieu Darche speaks with fans at a pre-game event prior to the game against the St. Louis Blues at UBS Arena. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders are entering the NHL offseason with a lot of optimism.

Despite a brutal end to the 2025-26 campaign, which saw them holding a playoff spot as late as April 4 before missing the postseason, the franchise is heading in the right direction. This is a team on the rise, led by Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

However, there are some challenges to upgrading the roster. The team re-signed Tony DeAngelo already, but they are right up against the salary cap, not providing general manager Mathieu Darche with much wiggle room to operate with.

Looking to kill two birds with one stone, upgrading the roster while shedding salary, he could explore making a trade. There is blockbuster potential if he were to consider moving star center Mathew Barzal.

Islanders could explore Mathew Barzal trade

Mar 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. / David Kirouac-Imagn Images

“So why trade their leading scorer? The Ottawa Citizen reported recently that GM Mathieu Darche is exploring the trade possibilities for Barzal, who has a $9.15 million cap number through 2030-31 and limited trade protection,” wrote Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.

Barzal recorded 72 points last season, with the next closest player being Schaefer with 59. His 53 assists were by far the most on the team, with Schaefer being second in that statistic as well, with 36.

The 19 goals that Barzal scored were tied for fourth on the team with veteran Anders Lee, who is currently set to hit the free agent market. Bo Horvat led the team with 31 goals scored in 68 games played.

Barzal recorded a plus/minus of +10, which was the second-best mark on the team behind only their rookie phenom, who was +13.

Trading a player of his caliber would certainly come as a shock to a lot of people around the league and in the Islanders fan base. He was a first-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and has been the face of the franchise since John Tavares left in free agency to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A three-time All-Star with an average annual salary of $9.15 million, the limited no-trade clause that he possesses shouldn’t be too much of a deterrent to getting a deal done should Darche actually be motivated to move him.

The return for him would be significant as an established, playmaking center capable of driving some offense. New York could view him as someone capable of bringing back the kind of package that can address multiple holes that exist on the roster.

However, a team in need of more offensive firepower trading away its leading scorer sounds counterproductive. With goals of making the postseason, the front office has to find other ways to slash salary that don’t include moving one of their franchise players who hasn’t asked to be traded.