I agree Rakell is the ideal target for the Isles here, but I’d find a way to trade Hickey or Komarov first, whether that’s to Anaheim or elsewhere. Rakell’s term and contract would be a great depth addition even after Lee recovers and rejoins the lineup

Islanders are in a win now state. Their core only has 3 years left until they start regressing.(Lee is 30, Eberle is 30, Bailey is 30, Varlamov is 35, The whole fourth line is over 30.) This will likely be one of the hardest pushes for the cup. And if Lee goes on LTIR until the end of the season, the islanders can use both Rakell and Lee in the playoffs. They can figure something out over the offseason with the expansion draft. I think they should just do what they can to win now.