Isles expected to keep low profile

OTTAWA -- The Islanders are in the nether region between buyer and seller as Monday's trade deadline approaches, beginning Saturdaysix points out of eighth place in the East.

Garth Snow has some assets that might interest teams more securely in the playoff race in either conference, but the Islanders' long-term plan is taking precedence right now. Their most attractive potential free agents might end up being signed beyond this season rather than shopped around in the frenzied hours before Monday.

Here are some of the candidates who could be moved in the final two days:

Most intriguing

P.A. PARENTEAU: The Isles' second-leading scorer and one of the NHL leaders in assists (fifth with 42), he's headed toward unrestricted free agency this July and is very much looking for a major contract after playing on one-year deals his whole career. At 28, he could fit well with any number of top teams in need of scoring, but his determination to hit a home run with this upcoming deal might have teams thinking twice about surrendering a first-round pick, Snow's ideal return.

Parenteau still might be moved, but the Isles might be betting that he has overvalued himself and end up re-signing him in the place he fits best.

EVGENI NABOKOV: One certainly would have thought the 36-year-old, playing on a one-year, $570,000 deal, would be the biggest draw of the deadline with several teams wishing for a goaltending upgrade. But the most interest he's getting is from his current team. Snow and Don Meehan, Nabokov's agent, have been in serious contract talks and could have a deal done before the deadline.

Even if not, Snow again said he's not trading his top goaltender. "This isn't about the deadline," Snow said. "We want him to be part of our plan going forward."

Depth rentals

MARK EATON: The 34-year-old veteran has done a solid job as a third-pair defenseman this season. If Snow were interested in a mid-round draft pick, Eaton would have plenty of suitors because of his steady play.

STEVE STAIOS: He's 38 but has been fresh enough to play physically all season long after coming to camp on a tryout. He said last week he plans on playing next season, and his steadiness and good locker-room presence might mean he comes back next season rather than heading off elsewhere.

MILAN JURCINA: When he wants to, Jurcina is a mean guy to play against. But his minus-26 rating, worst in the league, indicates he doesn't always play that way. It's unlikely he'll be back next season, so if a team wants to take a flyer on him, he could be dealt.

The main issue with all three of these potential UFA defensemen is that the Islanders have very little depth on defense in Bridgeport, so they would be scrambling to fill holes.

Long shotsMARTY REASONER: The fourth-line center has another year left on his contract, which would scare off teams looking for penalty-killing and faceoff expertise. It's unlikely that he goes, especially after such a frustrating season.

MARK STREIT: This is more fantasy trade rumor area than anything else. The Isles' captain has struggled in his return from missing all of 2010-11, but the defense already is thin enough. Imagine how much more so it would be if the Islanders dealt Streit.