"In New York, Boqvist has been, at best, a seventh defenseman, and he didn't play that role well when he first came to Long Island in 2024-25, when the Isles picked him up off waivers. Boqvist has, however, enjoyed a better start in 2025-26, which could lead a team looking to take a chance on a young defenseman willing to snag a flier and get him off the Islanders' hands."
"Through limited action, he's notched three blocks and a plus-2 across 13:36 of average total ice time, to go with a 15.8 on-ice shooting percentage and a 96.7 on-ice save percentage at even strength. Small sample size, but Boqvist could finally be starting to come into his own. It doesn't look like he's getting that chance in Long Island, even if the games he has appeared in have all been wins."
"Nobody should be going elsewhere sooner than Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and it's not because he's a bad fit with the Islanders or anything. Instead, he would warrant an incredible return if traded to a contender, and that gives him solid value. He won't wow you with any aspect of his game, but contenders look for solid players who can insert themselves into a variety of roles, and that's what makes Pageau valuable to more top-heavy teams in the league"
Increased NHL player movement before November could involve the New York Islanders as they evaluate roster changes amid a potential retool. Adam Boqvist has struggled to find a consistent role and often serves as a seventh defenseman, yet an improved start to 2025-26 and promising even-strength on-ice metrics make him a plausible trade candidate for teams willing to take a flier. Jean-Gabriel Pageau offers versatile, dependable depth that contenders value highly and could command a strong return. Trading veterans with market value can create roster flexibility and assets to accelerate a longer-term rebuild.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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