New York Islanders Defensive Trade Target For Every NHL Team

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 19: The Detroit Red Wings celebrate a goal by Trevor Daley #83 at 10:03 of the third period against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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John Carlson | Washington Capitals

Contract: $3.96 million/1 year, Production: 42pts/54 games, SLot: Top Pair
Why We Want Him
John Carlson is a very solid defenseman in this league. He’s already got 42 points in 54 games this year so he should beat his career high of 55 points on a season.

At 28-years old Carlson is in the prime of his career and ready to help out the Islanders right now.

For the Capitals, he’s a top pairing guy, but he doesn’t get paid like one (yet). He’s got a $3.96 cap hit that expires at the end of the year.

The Capitals have tons of cap space issues so if they feel he can’t re-sign they may want to get something big back in return for him.

Why We Don’t Want Him
If you trade for Carlson, you run the risk of him walking after the year. He’s not a guaranteed rental, but you’re going to offer him big money for him to stay.

If you want to acquire a top-pairing defenseman, you can kiss a ton of picks, quality prospects and some current NHL level talent goodbye.

I love the idea of Leddy and Carlson together as the top pair and bumping Boychuk down to the second pair, but it all depends at what cost. A guy like him isn’t going to be an easy bid.