Islanders predicted to salary dump $3.5 million winger before trade deadline

The biggest moves the New York Islanders are hoping to make before the NHL's Friday trade deadline are to bring in more talented players.

They might also salary dump a winger with a cap hit of $3.5 million in the process, though.

Anthony Duclair has fallen out of favor this season. Daily Faceoff's Scott Maxwell suggests in a new article Wednesday that the best plan might be to ship him out of town.

He's the classic candidate for a change of scenery trade, because his talent is still evident. His role has just disappeared.

"Duclair might be the least qualified cap dump on this list," Maxwell writes. "That’s because he finds his name in the rumor mill for reasons beyond the Islanders wanting to move out money. Duclair has found himself in Patrick Roy’s dog house this season, and while the winger has produced well despite his situation, it’s clear a change of scenery will benefit both parties. The Islanders wouldn’t mind getting rid of Duclair’s $3.5 million cap hit, especially as it will put them back under the salary cap limit."

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An acquiring team would be betting on Duclair's dog house placement being more due to a difference of opinion than any tangible decline in ability.

"If it gives him a change of scenery in the process, it’s a win for both sides," Maxwell writes. "Even at 30 years old, he can still contribute as a speedy middle-six winger for any team, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for the Islanders to find a suitor."

Duclair also has two years remaining on his contract. If he works out with his new team, they won't lose him after this season.

It's really a potential win-win, and it certainly would make sense both for the Islanders to pursue this and for another team to pick up the phone and check in on Duclair's availability.

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