NHL Rumors: The New York Islanders are open to trading their first-round pick

The New York Islanders would make a first-round pick, but that has to make sense

Frank Seravalli: New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche, when asked how aggressive they could be heading into the trade deadline. He said he would be open to a first-round pick, but that it would have to make sense for the organization. Darche does not want to make an exchange for the sake of exchanging.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

Seravalli: “You made two moves this week (defender Carson Soucy and forward Ondrej Palat). You said you wanted to reward this group. Perhaps the easiest way to say that is that you improved this team, but at the same time you got paid for it. You still have some space left, some assets. How aggressive do you think you will be between now and March 6.”

Darche: “But every day I talk to different teams. If there is an opponent, for example if there is an opportunity to take a step to improve the team, I will do it.”

And someone asked me this morning, when I visited the local media, would you move one of your first-round picks? If it makes sense, I would. I’m not saying, ‘Oh, I can’t move a first-round pick.’ First of all, I’m working with Julian BriseBois, so we all know I wouldn’t mind moving a first-round pick. So honestly, if there’s a meaningful deal and one of those picks moves, I’ll do it.

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So, is there one I’m currently working on? No. Could something intervene? Possibly. But I’ll keep kicking the tires and watch. Maybe we do something different, maybe not. It just depends.

Because I won’t make another trade just for the sake of making a trade. It has to make sense. So if it makes sense, I’ll try it. I know it’s a general answer, but the reality of it is true. And I’m sure every team is doing the same. As if you don’t change for the sake of change. You want to make a change that will improve your team. And you know, what you have to pay for that change makes sense. So, and that’s what we’ve done so far, and we’ll see where it goes in the coming weeks.

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