The New York Islanders and GM Garth Snow shipped out forward Michael Grabner last week to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they may not be done enacting trades ahead of the 2015 NHL season. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, there is "doubt" across the league that Snow and the Isles are done flipping forwards due to the glut of talent they currently possess at the position. While it's not usually the best idea to pilfer a position of strength in order to address needs elsewhere, the Islanders are actually very strong throughout their lineup and have a number of young forwards who would likely be able to step forward should someone at the NHL level be moved, so another trade or two wouldn't necessarily weaken the franchise's depth.
Kyle Okposo has been suggested time and again this offseason as a potential piece of trade bait for Snow. Okposo's named popped up again last weekend in a report as a player who remains on the block and could be had "for the right price." Okposo is supremely talented, but he's had several offseason procedures on his eyes and is entering the final year of his deal. Contract talks between the two sides, from the outside looking in, haven't progressed particularly amicably - and may have ceased altogether at this point - so it certainly seems possible that Okposo may start the season with the Isles, but may not end it there.
One of the players who was viewed as a potential NHLer this season and one who could potentially fill a spot emptied by a trade is forward Josh Ho-Sang. Ho-Sang was cut by the team though, after arriving late for training camp and as Friedman notes, Snow likely isn't ready yet to give up on the 2014 first rounder. Ho-Sang's trade value likely isn't high at the moment either, so there's little impetus for Snow to deal the talented youngster.
Still, Snow has proven with players like Grabner and Nino Niederreiter that he's willing to move pieces he no longer views as integral to the success of the team. Considering the glut of mediocre prospects Snow picked up from the Leafs in the Grabner trade, it wouldn't be surprising to see him move a player like Okposo should it bring back an elite prospect or three in return.
