This season, goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has become the intended target and his affordable annual salary of $570,000 could push Yzerman to make a move and improve the club's goals-against-average, which is one of the league's worst at 3.24.
Nabokov, who is expected to fight for one more good contract in next summer's free agent market, would be motivated to help the Bolts save their season and bring much needed support in between the pipes.
In 14 games this season, the 36-year-old goalie has registered a .919 save percentage and 2.46 goals-against-average.
However, several other teams are expected to shop for a veteran netminder as the trade deadline approaches and the Isles could decide to sit back and wait for the price to go up as clubs get more desperate.
Yzerman could then choose to focus on boosting his blueline as his defense that has been hurt by the long absence of injured Mattias Ohlund, and deal for a strong stay-at-home defenseman.
