5 Islanders Trade Targets to Watch for a Left Defenseman | NYHN+

The NHL trade market whirred all summer as teams prepared for the Seattle Kraken’s arrival. Leading up to the 2021 Seattle Expansion Draft, the New York Islanders depth at defense was so lacking, the team had to actually announce Andy Greene’s signing so they could meet the required number of unprotected defensemen.

The Islanders’ situation hasn’t improved as the 38-year old Greene is still listed as a top-4 defenseman. It begs the question if the Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will hit the NHL trade market for some defensive help this season.

The New York Islanders have passed the torch from top defenseman of years past with Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk to Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. While the Pelech-Pulock pairing is more than capable of handling top-line minutes, the Islanders’ depth at defense is a slippery slope outside of the two.