When the dust settled after Monday afternoon’s NHL trade deadline, the New York Islanders were in the rare position of having acquired their top target and convinced him — instantly — to sign with the team for six years, site unseen. They were also in the mix for a still-effective player who probably never would’ve waived his no-trade clause to come to the Islanders before the changes made in the last year and a half.
These — the acquisition of Jean-Gabriel Pageau and the near-trade for Zach Parise — reflect a new era for the Isles.