Islanders Still 33-1 Odds to Win Stanley Cup After Acquiring Pageau From Senators

• New York Islanders made a Trade Deadline splash by acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau
• Pageau addresses need for secondary scoring but the deal has failed to lift the Islanders in the Stanley Cup odds
• See the odds for the Islanders and top contenders to win the Stanley Cup below

The New York Islanders added some critical depth up the middle just ahead of Monday’s Trade Deadline, acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators for a series of draft picks. Pageau is expected to provide the Islanders with some much needed secondary offensive production. However, the deal has failed to immediately move the needle on New York’s Stanley Cup odds, which continue to lag at a distant +3300.

Odds to Win Stanley Cup

Odds taken on Feb. 24. 

Isles Pay a Hefty Price for Pending UFA

The Islanders paid a hefty price to bring the 27-year-old into the fold, shipping a conditional 2020 first-round pick, a 2020 second-round pick, and a conditional third-round pack in 2022 to the rebuilding Senators. The conditions on the first-rounder protect the Islanders, with the pick becoming a first-round selection in 2021 in the event that New York wins the draft lottery and the pick becomes a top-three selection. In addition, the Senators will only pick up the 2022 third-rounder if the islanders go on to win the Stanley Cup this year.

Pageau is an excellent add for the Islanders. But, this is an incredible return for Pierre Dorion and the Ottawa Senators. https://t.co/hsd6CmWnxC

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 24, 2020

Set to become a free agent at the end of this season, Pageau is enjoying a career-year, potting a career-best 24 goals and 40 points through 60 games, with 20 of those markers coming at even strength.

The acquisition of Pageau fills a big hole for the Islanders. With industrious checking center Casy Cizikas on the shelf indefinitely, Pageau is expected to take over centering the third line. Set to become a free agent at the end of this season, Pageau is enjoying a career-year, potting a career-best 24 goals and 40 points through 60 games, with 20 of those markers coming at even strength.

New York Facing Heightened Playoff Expectations

The Islanders hope that Pageau can contribute to a flagging offensive attack that has generated two or fewer goals in 14 of their past 28 contests, with the club compiling a middling 12-12-4 record during that stretch. Despite those struggles, the Islanders remain in control of the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference as the Trade Deadline passes, and lag behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals by just six points. However, New York continues to trail badly on the NHL divisional odds.

JOSH BAILEY ICES THE SERIES FOR THE ISLANDERS! THE ISLANDERS SWEEP THE PENGUINS!#Isles 3 – 1 #LetsGoPens
(NYI Wins Series 4-0) pic.twitter.com/Gy8deRjCqI

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 17, 2019

New York has created high playoff expectations after marching to a stunning first-round upset of the Pittsburgh Penguins last spring, and a rematch in this year’s playoffs remains a real possibility. But with both the Penguins and Capitals also bulking up at the deadline, it is likely to take more than the addition of Pageau to put this club over the top. Indeed, the Penguins have shown signs of their previous Stanley Cup form during a spectacular 26-11-2 run. And despite currently being mired in a three-game losing streak, offer solid value as a +900 bet to win their third Stanley Cup in five years.

Senators Stocking the Cupboard

With Monday’s deal, the Senators continue to stock a cupboard already overflowing with draft picks. Already well out of playoff contention, 19 points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division standings, the Senators lag as +50000 longshots in the Stanley Cup odds.

The Ottawa #Senators now have a total of 22 picks in the next two Entry Drafts.

Of those 22 picks, four of them are 1st RD'ers, and seven of them are 2nd RD'ers.https://t.co/xIbYAuYoMJ pic.twitter.com/BZiCdw6HVW

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 24, 2020

However, the club’s management group will be kept busy at this year’s NHL Draft, with the Senators now poised to make as many as 14 selections including as many as seven picks in the first two rounds.

Despite the Pageau addition, it’s likely not enough to make the Isles Cup contenders. For my money, the Penguins look to be the best bet right now.

Pick: Penguins to win Stanley Cup (+900)