Sharks vs. Kings Playoff Series: Islanders Need Look No Further Than WCQF Match

The Islanders are building a significant young corps of key hockey players with Stars like John Tavares, Michael Grabner and a right-handed shooting power play quarterback and Olympic defenseman Mark Streit playing out of Switzerland.  With this International appeal, the Islanders are in dire need of the goalie they are missing out on in the Rick DiPietro bust.

Jonathan O Jonathan, Wherefore Art Thou Jonathan?

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 23: Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings keeps his eyes on a shot taken by Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks in game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on

The Los Angeles Kings feature two of the top young goalies in the league.  Jonathan Bernier is already crowned the future of Kings goaltending, yet Jonathan Quick is proving his worth as a playoff groomed starting goaltender.  The Kings have another goalie in Eric Ersberg who is more suitable for a backup role than either one of those guys, which leaves one of the two Jonathan’s on the block if the price is right.

Sharks Making Cap Space Room for the Rise of Niemi

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 26: Goaltender Antero Niittymaki #30 of the San Jose Sharks warms up before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 26, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christi

Now the Sharks boast back-up goalie Antero Nittymaki, and his $2M salary next year will have to be moved in order to make room for Antti Niemi’s $1.8M pay raise.  That makes a quality mentor to Bernier or Quick affordable for the Islanders, since the Sharks can’t expect much back from other teams in a trade and the Islanders could get him for only a sixth- or a seventh-round pick or a swap of picks in the upcoming NHL draft. 

Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey! Good Buyout!!!

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 30: Rick DiPietro #39 of the New York Islanders tends net against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 30, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

With two new goalies in the fold, buy out DiPietro and take the bulk of his cap hit next year when Alexei Yashin’s buyout price halves from a $4.75M hit down to a $2.2M hit.

Return to Dynasty!

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 02: The 'Core of the Four' New York Islanders Stanley Cup participants take part in a ceremony prior to the Islanders game against the Florida Panthers on March 2, 2008 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce

Trading for a goalie tandem from the Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup between the Sharks and the Kings would solidify a foundation for success on the ice while maintaining fiscal cap responsibility.

Special shout out to Ben Hope whose fandom inspired this article.