By Chris Hennessy

The NHL trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and all local teams find themselves in a unique position as Feb. 25 approaches.

Islanders: Let’s start at the top of the standings with the first-place New York Islanders. To this point, there have been no names connected to the Islanders as trade targets, but they need to be buyers if they want this season to extend deep into the spring. The Islanders have found themselves with a much better record than they anticipated at this stage of the season, and general manager Lou Lamoriello most likely did not anticipate buying at the deadline, but he has to. For years, the Islanders have been the definition of mediocrity, with a few bright seasons mixed in where they did not make significant deals at the deadline. The power play has been putrid recently and adding a player like Wayne Simmonds from Philadelphia would be a welcomed fresh face to the front line of the Islanders. They must buy.

Rangers: Mats Zuccarello’s and Kevin Hayes’ Rangers careers are winding down. Everyone has known that this would be the end for the fan favorites, as the rebuilding Rangers look to gain prospects and draft picks for two forwards in their prime. This is not up for discussion, but what is debatable is whether forward Chris Kreider will be traded. While Hayes and Zuccarello will be free agents come season’s end, Kreider will not hit the open market until after the 2019-20 season. Kreider likely will be looked at by teams who need a goal scoring forward, but the Rangers by no means have to trade him. While general manager Jeff Gorton and ownership have stressed the importance of developing the younger players on the roster and in the system, they should not just trade Kreider to the best offer they have this time around. If they do not get the package they want, Kreider will likely remain a Ranger until either the summer or next trade deadline.

Devils: The Devils have followed up a playoff appearance with a dreadful season, finding themselves in the basement of the Metropolitan division and second to last in the East. They have already traded Brian Boyle to Nashville, and it is unlikely that he will be the only departure. Forwards Marcus Johansson and Drew Stafford, as well as goalie Keith Kinkaid, will all garner calls from teams currently in the playoff race. Kinkaid is the least likely to get moved, as teams don’t find themselves in the playoff race this late in the season without solid goaltending. If a team was looking for a goalie, he would be the second option behind Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rumors have Johansson connected to his former team, the Washington Capitals, but Stafford does not have any potential suitors yet. The Devils will most definitely be the least active local team at the deadline, as reigning MVP Taylor Hall has been injured and the team hopes that his return brings back the spark they had last year.

The deadline should be an exciting time in the NHL with potential moves that will change the playoff picture, including in the metro area.