Rangers Pursue Adam Pelech in Potential Trade with Islanders
The rivalry between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders is one of the most intense in the NHL. With both teams’ players, fanbases, and organizations often clashing, trade talks between the two have been exceedingly rare. In fact, it’s been nearly 15 years since the last trade between the Metropolitan Division foes, back in May 2010. 
Despite this, Cole Shelton of Heavy Sports proposed an intriguing trade scenario that would send Adam Pelech, a long-time fixture on the Islanders’ defense, to the Rangers.
Proposed Trade:
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Rangers receive: Adam Pelech
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Islanders receive: Scott Morrow and a 2026 second-round pick (from the Hurricanes)
Shelton suggests that this deal could be beneficial for both teams, with the Rangers acquiring a solid defenseman in Pelech to bolster their blue line. In exchange, the Islanders would receive a young defenseman and a second-round pick to help build for the future.
Although Pelech has spent his entire career with the Islanders, Shelton notes that his time on Long Island could soon be coming to an end. Islanders’ analyst Michael Stahurski has suggested that the team might look to overhaul its defense and get younger, making Pelech a potential trade candidate this season.
The 31-year-old defenseman still has four years left on the eight-year, $46 million contract he signed with the Islanders in 2021.
Salary Cap Concerns for the Rangers
While the idea of the Rangers adding a shutdown defenseman like Pelech is appealing, their current salary cap situation presents a significant challenge. According to PuckPedia, New York has just $777,976 in available cap space, making it difficult to take on Pelech’s $5.75 million annual salary unless they shed more than just Scott Morrow’s $916,667.
With the Islanders recently winning the draft lottery and adding Matthew Schaefer, questions are arising about their direction as a franchise. However, despite the intriguing nature of this proposed deal, it seems unlikely that the Islanders would engage in a blockbuster trade with their bitter rivals involving Pelech at this time.
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