New York Islanders Defensive Trade Target For Every NHL Team

Jordie Benn | Montréal Canadiens

Contract: $1.1 million/2 years, Production: 10pts/53 games, Slot: Bottom Pair
Why We Want Him
Jordie Benn is a good NHL caliber defenseman on an equally good deal at $1.1 million per season through 2018-19. For a team looking for defensive depth, the Islanders would be a perfect destination for Benn.

Montréal acquired him from the Dallas Stars a few years ago to address that exact need. And he filled that role perfectly. The issue now has been that with the departures of a few other names on the Habs blue line, Benn has had to step in and play an expanded role. One he just isn’t suited for.

The Habs are likely in no need to keep Benn and could let him go for cheap. Maybe a third-rounder, at best? And if that’s all it takes to strengthen the Islanders blue line, they needed to do this trade yesterday.

Why We Don’t Want Him

Benn isn’t having the best of times right now in Montréal. Mainly due to that expanded role. We’ve already seen the Islanders place Dennis Seidenberg on the top pair alongside Nick Leddy, so who says that Isles don’t give Benn an expanded role?

Which would end up defeating the purpose of the trade to begin with and further weaken the Islanders back end.