Macias’ Musings: Pelech on Team Canada in 2022? Trade Chatter

The New York Islanders currently sit outside of the playoff picture. They’re one week away from their first game back against the Dallas Stars on Sunday evening. Moreover, there are only 19 days until the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, and there’s been radio silence on the Brock Nelson front.

With all the uncertainty swirling, I figured it was time for me to unveil a new type of article I’ll be doing. “Macias’ Musings” is a collection of thoughts on the state of the Islanders and the decisions they’ll have to make.  Today, the trade deadline and contract decisions make up most of them.

#1. USA, USA, USA!

The United States defeated Canada in regulation last night. The game itself was truly thrilling from start to finish. The subtext for the Islanders remains Brock Nelson. Nelson’s role on Team USA has elevated his value. The downside is the USA’s success leaves the Islanders with even less time for him to focus on the decision he has to make.

Time is ticking for that decision.

#2. What is Kyle Palmieri’s Fate?

The far-less reported decision that’s also upcoming is what the Islanders will do with Kyle Palmieri. Similar to Nelson, he’s a pending UFA. Unlike Nelson, his play has dipped his value, and in order to stay with the Islanders, he’d need to take a pay cut. While this area is home to Palmieri, the Islanders could do well with some extra assets to potentially flip for other talent later.

#3. Give Tommy Albelin and Benoit Desrosiers their Flowers:

The Islanders’ power play was the worst in the league for the first three months of the season. That came after last season when they held down the 32nd spot all year. The organization hired Tommy Albelin to fix the kill, and Benoit Desrosiers also played a key role.

After the slow start, many questioned Albelin and if he had actually improved anything.

Since January 1, the kill is first in the NHL, and Albelin has solved the unsolvable, fixing the Islanders’ kill. As for Desrosiers, he’s played a key role. The Islanders are among the best face-off teams in the NHL, and Desrosiers is a massive part of that. Every practice, he makes the centers work on their skill in the dot, and it’s shown.

Both coaches have played a big role in the turnaround.

#4: Cole Eiserman will be a really good Islander

This past Monday, Cole Eiserman and Boston University won the Beanpot over the favorites Boston College. In that win, Eiserman scored the dagger in the win, and showed up all over the ice all night. His forecheck looked tenacious, and his defense strong. Every single time he has the puck in the offensive zone, it looks like he’ll score.

That type of threat doesn’t go away. He’s likely one more year away, but when he gets here, he’s going to be really good.

#5: Would Adam Pelech have made Team Canada in 2022?

After watching the Americans beat Canada largely thanks to shutdown defenseman like Jaccob Slavin, my mind wandered back to the sentiment surrounding Adam Pelech after the 2021 playoffs. The league viewed Pelech as one of hockey’s absolute best shutdown defensemen, with him even making the 2022 All-Star Team.

There had been much talk about him making the 2022 Canadian Olympic roster. Then, the NHL canceled player involvement, and Pelech’s opportunity went up in smoke.

To me, Pelech would’ve shined in that role. It’s a shame he never got to play for Canada in a best-on-best setting because, at his peak, he truly was one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He’s still very good now, but the injuries have taken their toll.