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Chicago Blackhawks: 3 New York Islanders to consider this summer

By Vincent Parise

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Assistant coach Jim Hiller of the New York Islanders works the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Nassau Coliseum on June 23, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Assistant coach Jim Hiller of the New York Islanders works the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Nassau Coliseum on June 23, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Blackhawks, Travis Zajac
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

106. . C. New York Islanders. Travis Zajac. 14. player

The Chicago Blackhawks would love to have a centerman like Travis Zajac.

Travis Zajac, like Kyle Palmieri, was traded to the New York Islanders in 2021. In fact, they went to the Island together in the exact same trade. It was a huge trade in the history of both franchises as each one had a clear direction after the deal. Both Zajac and Palmieri have been two of New Jersey’s best players over the past five or six years so the Islanders were lucky to have them.

When you want to learn about Travis Zajac’s game, it is easy to describe to a Blackhawks fan. Just think of a poor man’s Jonathan Toews. He was never even close to being that good but they have similar play styles in terms of being great two-way forwards. Zajac can be trusted out there up a goal with less than a minute left with anyone in the league. He isn’t in his prime anymore but he still has a lot to give to an NHL team.

If someone like Zajac joined the Hawks right now, they would immediately be much deeper at the center of the ice. Depending who else is there, he would be a perfect bottom-six guy. Ideally, at this point in his career, he is a fourth-line center but he can play anywhere. He can create a bit of offense as well so there are plenty of options with a player like him.

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