Some Suggestions for Improving Islanders

Since New York Islanders General Manager Bill Torrey seems adamant about building through the draft, here are a few ideas on how to handle the last 27 games of his club’s worst season in 15 years.

The Islanders (18-32-3) are not going to make the playoffs. So why doesn’t Torrey write off the season and force-feed young players? To do that, he must bench, buy out or trade old players.

Suggestion No. 1: Trade Trots. Bryan Trottier has one goal and four assists in his past 10 games, and 13 goals, 34 points for the season. He is likely to finish with the fewest goals and fewest points of his 14-year career.

Trottier, 32, reportedly is earning $700,000 this season and has three years remaining on a contract that escalates to more than $1 million in 1991-92. Torrey most likely would have to pay one-third to one-half of Trottier’s future salary.

“No comment,” Torrey said from Edmonton when asked about trading Trottier. “I’m involved in too many things right now. I don’t want to get into what we may or may not do.”

Who could afford Trottier? Detroit, Calgary and Los Angeles, who all think they have a shot at the Stanley Cup and could use his savvy and experience. The NHL trading deadline is March 7.

What could Torrey get? Though he is not Torrey’s kind of player, the Red Wings’ alcohol-troubled left wing Petr Klima totaled 99 goals over the past three seasons and might benefit from the influence of fellow Czechoslovak David Volek.

The Flames might give up their big checking center, Joel Otto. The Kings might be convinced to part with rushing defenseman Wayne McBean, who will be 20 on Feb. 21, in a package deal. “If the Islanders can better themselves by making a deal,” Trottier said, “I’m all for it. But I’m not looking to move. I don’t think I’ve stopped anybody from growing.”

But the club returned center Tom Fitzgerald, who got his first NHL goal Sunday, to Springfield this week.

“There are reasons we’re doing what we’re doing,” said Torrey, adding, “It takes two to deal. Am I trying to make deals? Yes. Am I satisfied with the way the team is? No. ... And who says we’re not going with youth?”

Suggestion No. 2: Buy out the contracts of goalie Bill Smith, the NHL’s oldest player at 38, and defensemen Ken Morrow and Reed Larson, both 32. Smith and Morrow have four Stanley Cup rings each and have had fine careers. No purpose is served by hanging on. Larson helped in an injury crisis but also should be bidden adieu.

Suggestion No. 3: Play the kids. If Torrey does not trade Trottier, Coach Al Arbour should bench him for half the remaining games and use Fitzgerald.

The forward lines could look like this: Brent Sutter between Volek and Patrick Flatley; Pat LaFontaine with Brad Lauer and Mikko Makela; Fitzgerald centering Derek King and Randy Wood, and Rob DiMaio with Greg Gilbert and Alan Kerr. King was recalled yesterday from Springfield.

On defense, the Islanders could go with Rich Pilon and Jeff Norton, Marc Bergevin-Gerald Diduck and Gary Nylund-Jeff Finley. The latter should be recalled from Springfield. Tomas Jonsson would be available for spot duty.

In goal, Jeff Hackett should get at least 10 starts down the stretch. Torrey returned Hackett to Springfield this week. Is that laying groundwork?

Suggestion No. 4: Keep the No. 1 1989 draft pick, which could be among the top three overall. Use it for the best pure goal-scorer in the draft, not another big defenseman from Western Canada. Trade the pick only if somebody offers a young or middle-aged goal-scoring wing.

What about it, Bill? “I’m not writing anything off,” Torrey said, “until it’s a fact.”