The smoke surrounding the islanders’ signing of Nazem Kadri continues to spread

Nothing has changed on the New York Islanders front line in recent days.

OK, I shouldn’t say that. John McLean is Lane Lamberts latest new assistant coaches and Brian Wiseman will not be part of the staff. The team also purchased 50,000 Mega Millions tickets for season ticket holders. If you are an “STH” reading this for the first time, I am sorry to report that you did not win.

But from the perspective of free agents, trades, and off-season moves. It’s still silence out GM Lou Lamoriello. As the silence continues, so does the rumor mill, and there’s a growing sense that this silence just means the islanders have already made deals when it comes down to it Nazem Kadri.

First on his 32 thoughts podcast With Jeff Mark, SportsNets Elliot Friedman stated that the “Islanders are in,” giving credence to the suggestion that the Islanders and Kadri have something in the works and the rest of the NHL is waiting to hear the details. Then, on Sunday afternoon, a tweet from a former Minnesota Wild explore Markus Seidel was the last fanning of the Nazem Kadri to the flames of the islanders. Seidel is currently the director of player personnel for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

There’s no reason for him to make that up. He hedges by suggesting he’s “FAR from an insider,” but it’s clear he has ties to the NHL, and one of those ties makes him very confident that a deal can be made between Kadri and the Islanders has taken place or is taking place.

The strange thing about a potential Kadri signing is that it’s not fully embraced by the fanbase. At least not yet. Kadri was in the top 5 or 6 available free agents this summer and has one career year and one Stanley Cup under his belt Colorado Avalanche. But his age, position and likely cost have got Islanders fans thinking of signing him.

in the AMNY, Joe Pantorno raised 3 questions about a possible takeover of Kadri. As a natural center, its adoption would shift it Matthew Barsal or Rock Nelson – the team’s two most prolific forwards, to the wing. Nelson gained experience there earlier in his career but has flourished as the team’s No. 2 in recent years and was particularly efficient a year ago. Meanwhile, Barzal has never played wing in the NHL and it would be ironic to turn to him as a top line winger who has required the top line to work alongside him for the past three seasons.

Kadri ended a career year with 87 points (28G, 59A) in 71 games and great Stanley Cup playoffs. Even if the number of applicants is limited, he will command at least $6-7 million AAV. The Islanders’ cap situation requires pay cuts to do justice to a player of Kadri’s caliber. if Seymon Varlamov still no option to postpone this off-season, so going forward Anthony Beuvillier and Josh Bailey as likely candidates to be moved to create the necessary space.

“It mostly boils down to the big deals of Josh Bailey ($5 million AAV) and Anthony Beauvillier ($4.15 AAV) as obvious candidates to dump, giving Lamoriello some breathing room while also making sure that.” a spot on the list remains open for Oliver Wahlstrom, who is expected to take another step forward in his development in 2022-23. However, if Kadri is included in the squad and no other changes are made, one of those strikers will be the underdog.”

– Joe Pantorno, AMNY

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, but where there’s silence does an islander sign?

We’ll find out soon enough, but for now, the best-case scenario for the islanders is a move some fans won’t love in the short-term because it could mean the long-term. But a move everyone knows would make the team better in 2022-23.