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New York Islanders Top Five Players Likely Traded Before Expansion

Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic (3) works out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic (3) works out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey (14) celebrates with goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) after winning in overtime against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Islanders won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Thomas Hickey

In terms of style of play, Calvin de Haan and Thomas Hickey seem interchangeable. Steady, safe, reliable. Perfect for teams that need to better their blue line. Looking at you Colorado and Arizona.

Hickey is a little longer in the tooth than at 28-years-old but he’s still under term for another year at a great $2.2 million on the cap. There’s a good market in the NHL for defenders like Hickey.

Shipping Hickey out would leave the Isles with Leddy, de Haan, Hamonic and Boychuk as defenders they can protect.

And hey. If the Isles have a hard time selling him as a defender they could just label him as a forward.

He doesn’t have the same appeal as the first two on the list, but teams are still going to be interested in attaining him. But on his own Hamonic won’t garner the type of player the New York Islanders are looking to add to their roster.

Actually, neither of these players would garner that type of return on their own. Which means more than just Hickey will have to go.

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