BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 6: Justin Faulk #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts after Riley Nash #20 of the Boston Bruins scored a goal during the first period at TD Garden on January 6, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The New York Islanders might just have what it takes to pry Justin Faulk away from the Carolina Hurricanes in this years NHL trade deadline.

There’s one thing the New York Islanders need in this year’s NHL trade deadline, and that’s defense. OK. They could use goaltending as well, but we all know that’s not going to happen. Ain’t no goalies out there that would step in and make a difference that is available and would fit under the cap.

Unless Garth Snow has some sort of hidden goaltending voodoo we’ve never seen. But then again, he is the GM that carried three goaltenders for two full seasons….so that seems doubtful.

So defenseman it is then. What if the New York Islanders could get their hands on Carolina Hurricanes Justin Faulk? Cause according to Elliotte Friedman he might just be available, and the price might not just be unreasonable.



The Ask

According to Elliotte Friedman, sending Andreas Athanasiou from the Detroit Red Wings might return Justin Faulk.

2. Trade that might make sense only to me: something around Justin Faulk from Carolina to Detroit for Andreas Athanasiou.

Now that’s just his opinion on a potential trade, but Friedman is a great judge of the market and what player valuations are around the league. So if he says that might be a good fit, I believe him.

Now how do the Islanders pry a right-handed, 25-year-old, under term for another two years at $4.83 million defender who scores up to 50 points in a season? From a divisional rival none the less.

The Islanders don’t have Andreas Athanasiou, but they have Josh Ho-Sang who’s just wasting away in the AHL at the moment. Over a full season, Ho-Sang could certainly put up more points that Athanasiou. Ho-sang might have a lot less NHL experience than Athanasiou, but his offensive upside is much higher than the Red Wings youngster.

The New York Islanders might have to toss in a draft pick in order for the Hurricanes to take in Josh Ho-sang what the Islanders have essentially now dubbed as a problematic player.

Look, I know, I want Josh Ho-Sang to be playing with the New York Islanders, but this organization hasn’t given me any reason to believe that that reality will ever exist. So if not, let’s get something for an absolutely electric player. Getting a top four D in the process would be fantastic.