Backup Goaltenders the New York Islanders Should Target

The New York Islanders are a team with few glaring weaknesses this year, but there is one—goaltending.

We're not talking about Jaroslav Halak as a starter. He's performed as well as management could've expected, with a 21-6-0 record, three shutouts, .918 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average. 

No, rather Chad Johnson has been the problem. Signed to a two-year contract this offseason, Johnson is 5-5-0 in 11 games for the Isles, but with an atrocious .867 save percentage and 3.54 goals-against average. 

Kevin Poulin lost his only appearance for the Islanders in overtime, giving up three goals on 26 shots.

The trade market is full of options for the Islanders to entertain—some short-term options, others who could materialize to be a major part of the team.

Here are six goaltenders who would be upgrades over the Islanders' current options behind Halak.

Viktor Fasth

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Edmonton's anticipated fire sale started last week with David Perron being dealt to Pittsburgh for a first-round pick and forward Rob Klinkhammer.

Viktor Fasth is high on the list of players likely gone in their purge, as the 32-year-old Swede has struggled in his final year in Edmonton. Then again, everyone who isn't wearing a road sweater has struggled in Edmonton this year.

In 2013-14, Fasth was 3-3 with a .914 save percentage and 9.14 goals-against average after being acquired from the Ducks. He boasts a 2.67 goals-against average in 52 NHL appearances and .906 save percentage.

It's likely Fasth could come cheap, given his age and status as an impending free agent. The Islanders could do better, but the likely price he'd cost should be low, too.

Antti Raanta

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Should the team opt to go in a younger direction, Antti Raanta could be expendable to the Chicago Blackhawks. While the 'Hawks have no immediate reason to deal the 25-year-old netminder, 25-year-old Scott Darling has performed just as well if not better than Raanta in Chicago.

Raanta is under contract for one more year after 2014-15 and would immediately give the Islanders a netminder who might even be ready to be a starter.

Chicago has all the leverage in a deal involving Raanta or Darling, however. Both netminders are restricted free agents, and Chicago is in no rush to deal either.

Depending on what the Isles want to give up, Raanta—or Darling—would ease any goaltending issues and insure that Halak being injured wouldn't jeopardize the team's ability to compete in the playoffs.

Antti Niemi

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Antti Niemi isn't the goalie he used to be. The former Stanley Cup champion has struggled and essentially lost his starting role to the younger Alex Stalock.

He is now in the final year of his contract with the San Jose Sharks, and the team could look to deal him to add depth for its own playoff push.

The only problem with this potential deal is the Sharks don't have an immediate backup waiting in the wings if they do deal Niemi, so maybe a deal involving Chad Johnson and another player or a pick for Niemi by himself could get this deal done.

Having a veteran like Niemi on the bench would be a major plus headed into the playoffs.

Martin Brodeur

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It's already been weird seeing Martin Brodeur wear a jersey that doesn't belong to the New Jersey Devils.

With Brian Elliott set to soon return for the St. Louis Blues, and Jake Allen a near untouchable—but struggling—young goaltender, Brodeur may be forced to consider retirement again if there aren't any suitors for a trade.

What's attractive about Brodeur is it would likely cost the Islanders next to nothing, considering all 30 teams had a shot at signing him earlier in the year and opted not to.

In seven appearances for the Blues, he's 3-3-0 with one shutout, an .899 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average. The Islanders could do worse, and well, they have been.

Jacob Markstrom

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Another youthful option the Islanders could entertain is Jacob Markstrom. With Eddie Lack and Ryan Miller both in net for the Canucks, Markstrom could be available for the right offer.

The Swedish prospect is 10-2-1 in the AHL this season, with four shutouts, .932 save percentage and a 1.91 goals-against average.

While he might still be considered a top prospect despite not making it into the NHL yet, the former early second-round pick could come at a reduced rate considering he's a restricted free agent who requested a trade last offseason.

Some goaltenders blossom a little later than others, just look at Ben Bishop of the Lightning. At age 28, his first season with more than 30 NHL appearances was just last year.