What’s Up With Pageau? How Absence Impacts Islanders Trade Deadline

With Jean-Gabriel Pageau not in Minnesota for Tuesday night’s contest, he will miss his eighth straight game for the New York Islanders due to an upper-body injury.

The New York Islanders have not provided any information about his injury, as expected.

Pageau Timeline

Feb. 9- Pageau plays 14:28 in a 5-4 loss to the Vancouver Canucks
Feb. 10- Pageau does not practice. Lambert says nothing to worry about
Feb. 11- Pageau plays 12:56 in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens
Feb. 13- Pageau skates in practice, takes a high hit from a teammate
Feb. 14- Pageau on IR (retro Feb. 11), doesn’t play vs. Ottawa Senator
Feb. 18- Pageau doesn’t make trip to Boston
Feb. 20- Pageau doesn’t make trip to Pittsburgh
Feb. 24- Pageau doesn’t practice, Lambert says not skating
Feb. 26- Pageau doesn’t take trip to Winnipeg
Feb. 28- Pageau not in Minnesota

In Pageau’s absence, the New York Islanders have used Casey Cizikas as the third-line center, with Andy Andreoff getting three games on the fourth line before Otto Koivula played the next four.

Koivula stays in the lineup against the Wild. He has no points in four games, with two shots and a penalty in an average of 7:49 minutes per game.

How Pageau’s Absence Impacts Trade Deadline

With the New York Islanders clinging to a wild-card spot with teams behind them having games in hand, all games going forward are must-win. It’s been like that for a bit, and it’s going to remain like that until the season ends.

Islanders head coach Lane Lambert does not have any players that he can use that fill the void Pageau leaves behind. Andreoff and Koivula are just bodies eating ice time, and both have made suspect plays that have negatively impacted team performances.

If Pageau is going to be out longer than another week, it would be wise for Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello to go out and acquire a cheap, veteran centerman.

Players like Nick Bjugstad, Nick Bonino, and Colton Sissons come to mind.

If Pageau is going to be back immediately after the NHL Trade Deadline, and play starting against the Detroit Red Wings this upcoming Saturday, then Lamoriello does not have to focus on getting a centerman but could go get a veteran winger or a younger piece with three wingers on Injured Reserve, all three possibly out for the season.

That includes Mathew Barzal, who has played wing since the acquisition of Bo Horvat.

We shall see if Jean-Gabriel Pageau can return when the New York Islanders host the Detroit Red Wings this Saturday at 12:30 PM ET.

The NHL Trade Deadline is on March 3 at 3 PM ET.