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 Anthony Caraturo is in his second year at Suffolk County Community College. It is his passion to write about sports and share his thoughts with people who enjoy reading. He would love to one day realize his dream as a sports writer acaraturo@gmail.com. |
| The NHL trade deadline comes and goes every year. Contenders use this day to bolster weaknesses as contenders use it to prepare for the future. Either way, the day always shapes up to being an exciting one for fans across Canada and the United States. This year, both New York teams are in slightly different positions. The two teams being referenced are the Rangers and Islanders. The Rangers, as of right now are on pace for another playoff berth and look to bolster their lineup before playoffs roll around. The Islanders got off to a poor start this season leading to Jack Capuano’s reign behind the bench ending after six seasons. The Islanders have rebounded though under interim coach, Doug Weight. The Rangers pull up to the deadline in need of a puck moving defenseman, preferably, one that is right-handed. Those are not easy to find in today’s NHL. If teams happen to have them, they rarely want to move them because they are so hard to come by. The Rangers have been linked to Blues defenseman, Kevin Shattenkirk. Shattenkirk, 28 is putting up a career year in St. Louis in a contract year. He is a New Yorker and it has been reported that he wants to be a Ranger. The Rangers have the forwards to contend for years but with an aging defense and franchise goaltender turning 35 soon, the time to go for it is now. New York Islanders fans came into the summer feeling great, as did the organization. They had just won their first playoff round after 23 years. They defeated the Panthers in the first round in six games on a John Tavares double OT winner. They did have decisions to make on some key free agents. After years with the organization, the Islanders let core guys like Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen walk to other clubs. The Isles started the season poorly. Andrew Laad, who was signed to a hefty contract over the Summer looked like a bust. Once Weight took over the Isles turned it around and are pushing for a final playoff spot. There are teams that on deadline day will look to upgrade. Those teams are: Chicago, Minnesota, Los Angeles and Anaheim. Teams not looking to upgrade will sell off any rentals or players they expect to leave via free agency for future draft picks or prospects. The playoff push is here, and it is shaping up to be an exciting one. |
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