Islanders Offseason: Top 5 Possibilities For '14-'15 Season - Defense

Part 2: Defense

Over the last few seasons, the Islanders defense has been a major reason for the teams failure to take the next step.  Comprised of a few core pieces, the rest was a patchwork stop gap made from waiver wire pick ups and inexperienced prospects.  A surprise to no one, the Isles sink or swim method of defense has yielded some results, but ultimately failed to produce on a consistent basis.

A big trade or free agent signing is a move that the Islanders have to make on defense.  A possible trade on draft day, like the one made for Lubomir Visnovsky could do the trick.  Visnovsky is a strong PP quarterback and a great leader on the blue line, but his concussion history leaves him questionable for the job next season.

 

That leaves anchorman, Travis Hamonic as the point to build from.  Hamonic is a solid and intimidating force on the Isles defense.  One time waiver addition, Thomas Hickey plays a consistent game for the Isles in my opinion.  He has improved with each shift and has done well in big time situations when called upon.  What else can you say about how well Calvin de Haan (RFA) has fit in since being called up to the Islanders?  Simply put, he has secured a spot as a top D-Man with this team.  Matt Donovan (RFA) has proven he can play at the NHL level and seemed to find his game by season's end.  It is my hope that he gets to stay with the organization.  As much as defense is a team weakness, the system does have some quality players that are gaining experience and getting noticed.

 

Add in Kevin Czucman & Scott Mayfield who performed very well in their limited auditions with the big club.  Czucman seemed ready to compete for a spot while Mayfield should see a first chance call up at very least if he doesn't make the team.  Griffin Reinhart should make the team out of training camp while guys like Ville Pokka, Ryan Puloch, Andrey Pedan, Loic Leduc & Adam Pelech will push the envelope throughout camp.

Matt Carkner (1 yr remaining) & Brian Strait (2 yrs remaining) play limited roles with the team and may find themselves moved as the prospect pool yields NHL ready players.  Radek Martinek is a UFA that should not be re-signed.

Even with all these assets, I feel Garth Snow needs to sign or acquire a top tier D-Man.  In free agent or possible trading scenarios, there a are a couple of guys I think would be a good fit with the Islanders.

 

1.  UFA, Matt Niskanen of the Pittsburgh Penguins is an offensive defensemen that seems to be hitting his stride at the right time.  The 27 yr old Niskanen scored 10 & 36 for 46 pts with a +33 in 81 games including 9 pts in 13 playoff games this season.  He also isn't afraid to drop the gloves when he feels the need.  Niskanen made $2,300,000 last season.

 

 

2.  RFA, Un-drafted.  Tory Krug is a 23 yr old defensemen for the Boston Bruins that would fit very well with the Isles.  Even though he is small at 5'9, Last season Krug scored 14 & 26 for 40 pts in 79 games at a +18 and scored 10 pts in 12 playoff games.  He is due for a big raise (Krug made $916,667 last season), but is a good gamble to take for N.Y.  He wont be easy to attain and will probably cost some quality compensatory draft picks if the Isles offer was successful and wasn't matched by Boston.

 

3.  UFA, 35 yr old Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens is a top PP QB and a solid top pair D-man.  In 81 games, he scored 7 & 36 for 43 pts and a +12 and has scored 5 pts in 13 playoff games so far this season.  Markov made $5,750,000 last season at 35 yrs old.

5/23 UPDATE:  The Monreal Canadiens re-sign Andrei Markov to a 3yr/ $17.25M contract with an average of $5.75M/ssn.

 

4.  UFA, Ron Hainsey of the Carolina Hurricanes is a 33 yr old defensive minded defensemen who is still under rated in my opinion.  Hainsey can do it all and do it well for a lot of minutes.  While very limited on offense, he is a top caliber shot blocker and do the dirty work while an offensive defenseman joins the rush.   Hainsey made $2,000,000 last season, making him an experienced value.

6/24 UPDATE:  Carolina Hurricanes re-sign D Ron Hainsey to a 3 year, $8.5M extension.

 

5. UFA, Anton Stralman is a second pair D-Man for the New York Rangers.  So far at age 27, Stralman has seen a lot of minutes for the Rangers and played well even and on the PK.  He has 13 pts in 81 games at a +9 and 5 pts and a +7 in 16 playoff games so far this season.  Stralman is a bit of an un proven commodity and has a limited offensive touch.  Stralman made $1,700,000 last season and rejected a 3yr, $9M extension from the Rangers.

 

Isles Notes:

 

Voting is now open so let your voice be heard as to the Isles Awards "Player of the Year!"

 

 

Isles fans voted for Travis Hamonic for the "2013-14 Goal Of The Year."

 

@GriffinReinhart & the @EdmOilKings wrap-up round-robin play in the Memorial Cup tonight against Val-d'Or at 7 PM.

Four time Olympian, four time medal winner, Stanley Cup Champion & two time all-star, Miroslav Satan retires after a 14 year NHL career.

 

IIHF Notes:

 

@USAHockey finished second in Group B and will play Czech Republic in the Quarterfinals on Thursday.

 

Game 7:  Final score from Minsk: @USAHockey 5, Germany 4; Isles @SquatchDonovan scores for USA in the win.