New York Islanders Should Trade For Detroit Red Wings Mike Green

The New York Islanders have some tough calls to make as this year NHL Trade Deadline (February 26th) approaches. Will the Isles be aggressive buyers? The Islanders should pursue the Red Wings Mike Green.

With the loss of Calvin de Haan for the rest of the season, the New York Islanders surely can use a proven top-four defenseman. Mike Green is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and with the Red Wings just about out of the playoff race, Green will most likely be dealt.

Fit for the Isles

Green (age 32) has been a top defenseman in the league for the last few years. He is solid in his own end, a strong puck mover who provides offense, and is a force on the power play.

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Green also would be a great locker room presence and has a ton of big game playoff experience under his belt. He would be a terrific addition to this Islanders team on so many levels.

Pairing Green with Adam Pelech would give the Isles a strong second pairing on the blue line. The third unit can then be filled out between the kids and the veterans.

The Cost

Even though Green would be a rental, Detroit’s General Manager, Ken Holland is going to want a good return from Garth Snow and the Islanders. With the Isles having a pair of first-round picks in the upcoming NHL Draft, Detroit’s first proposal will include one of those top selections. The answer to that offer has to be a resounding no and must be a deal breaker.

Should the Isles trade one of their second-round picks (they have two – their own & Calgary’s) and a prospect? Detroit needs young defenseman so they would be looking for a blue line prospect in any potential deal.

Does a second-round pick in this years draft and either Mitchell Vande Sompel or Parker Wotherspoon get a deal done? To get Mike Green to the Isles would Garth trade Robin Salo (last years’ second-round selection) and one of his second rounds picks in the upcoming draft?

Next: Can Garth make a Trade Already?

The Islanders should get aggressive to land Green. Yours truly would offer second and fourth-round picks in the upcoming draft and either Van Sompel or Wotherspoon. Hopefully, that would get a deal done. Green’s $6 million cap might require a bit more in order to get him under the cap. But the young D and draft picks are the key to this deal.

On a final note trading, Salo would be a mistake.