NHL Trade Deadline: Isles Fall to Senators, Trades to Follow?

The New York Islanders lost to the Ottawa Senators for the second time in the last week, dropping a road contest 5-2. The story of the game was not the fact that the Islanders lost, but more so that it appears that the Isles will be sellers at the deadline.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Islanders wanted to wait for the result of this game to decide whether they were going to be buyers or sellers. New York made no clear indication of their team's direction after the game, but most believe they will be sellers when all is said and done.

The top two players available from the Islanders are believed to be P.A. Parenteau and Evgeni Nabokov.

Recently the Islanders said they were 50/50 on signing Nabokov to an extension according to John Shannon of Sportsnet. Many believe that the Islanders are bluffing in order to get more in return for Nabokov. They may not be with the way he has played down the stretch; he has single-handedly kept the Islanders in the playoff run with the way he has played of late.

P.A. Parenteau is gaining interest from a variety of teams. The Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs have all inquired about the talented winger.

Although there was some recent buzz about forward Kyle Okposo, BD Gallof of New York's WFAN, has cited a source that says "no."

This game against the Senators may be the last game for Parenteau or Nabokov or both as an Islander. Garth Snow has a history of not making any big moves, but with Parenteau and Nabokov available, look for Snow to move at least one of them before the deadline hits on Monday. Isles fans can only hope for a lofty return.