The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and the rumor mill is churning with potential moves that could reshape the playoff landscape. One name that’s generating a lot of buzz is New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Multiple reports, including insights from NHL insider Stefan Rosner of The Hockey News, suggest that both the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights are expressing significant interest in acquiring the veteran pivot.
Pageau’s Value Skyrocketing: Is a Trade Imminent?
Pageau, 32, isn’t just your average bottom-six forward. He’s a versatile player who brings a unique blend of offensive skill, defensive responsibility, and face-off prowess. With a year remaining on his contract at a $5 million AAV, and a 16-team no-trade list, he’s a valuable commodity. This season, Pageau has enjoyed a resurgence, tallying 27 points in 52 games. But it’s not just his offensive contributions that make him attractive. He’s also winning nearly 60 percent of his faceoffs, which would be a career-high, and is the Islanders’ top penalty killer. In today’s NHL, those are premium skills.
From my perspective, this interest from Edmonton and Vegas makes perfect sense. Both teams are looking to solidify their center depth as they gear up for what they hope will be deep playoff runs. The Oilers, while boasting superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, sometimes lack consistent secondary scoring and reliable defensive play down the middle. Pageau could be the perfect complementary piece, freeing up McDavid and Draisaitl to focus on what they do best – generating offense. He would immediately improve their penalty kill and give them a much needed boost in the faceoff circle.
The Golden Knights, meanwhile, are always in “win now” mode. Their desire to add Pageau speaks volumes about their ambitions. While they have a strong core, adding a player of Pageau’s caliber would provide invaluable insurance and versatility, especially given the grind of playoff hockey. He could slot in anywhere in their lineup, providing scoring depth and a strong two-way presence.
The key factor here, of course, is the Islanders’ position. If they find themselves out of playoff contention by the March deadline, Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will have a tough decision to make. Pageau, while a valuable player, could fetch a significant return, helping the Islanders replenish their prospect pool or acquire other assets. Lamoriello is a shrewd negotiator, and he won’t make a move unless it benefits the Islanders’ long-term interests.
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