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New York Islanders Lou Lamoriello’s Five Priorities on To-Do List

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: A list of things still to do in preparation for this year's Notting Hill Carnival, hangs on the wall of the Flamboyant Mas Band workshop in Ladbroke Grove on August 23, 2013 in London, England. More than one million people are expected to enjoy this year's Notting Hill Carnival. It is the largest street festival in Europe and was first held in 1964 by the Afro-Caribbean community. Over the bank holiday weekend the streets come alive to steel bands, colourful floats and costumed performers as members of the public flood into the area to join in the celebrations. (Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: A list of things still to do in preparation for this year's Notting Hill Carnival, hangs on the wall of the Flamboyant Mas Band workshop in Ladbroke Grove on August 23, 2013 in London, England. More than one million people are expected to enjoy this year's Notting Hill Carnival. It is the largest street festival in Europe and was first held in 1964 by the Afro-Caribbean community. Over the bank holiday weekend the streets come alive to steel bands, colourful floats and costumed performers as members of the public flood into the area to join in the celebrations. (Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 18: Johnny Boychuk #55 and Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders in action against the New Jersey Devils on February 18, 2017 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Find a Top 4 D

The New York Islanders one great weakness was the defense in 2017-18. It’s the one area they need to improve dramatically. Bringing in a top-four defender is a great start.

The only issue, just like before, is finding one. They aren’t growing on trees, and even if they are available they aren’t going to come cheap.

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson is likely going to be available as an unrestricted free agent in July. But he’s going to garner a ton of attention around the league, so how much would the Islanders have to overpay in order to get him? A ton.

That leaves qualifying offers and trades as the only option to acquire a top-four defender. With Lou being the old-school type of GM there’s no way he uses the often spoken but rarely seen offer sheet on a counterpart.

That leaves trades as the only option. The question then becomes who or what is Lou willing to trade to acquire a top-four defender.

Are young players that have no spot on the 2018 roster up for grabs? Are players like Josh Ho-Sang or Devon Toews up for grabs? How about the two first-round picks in this year’s draft? Both are within the top half meaning both have significant value.

Putting a top level prospect with a top half pick together to acquire a top-four defender should be enough to get a deal done. And should be a good start to righting the Islanders ship for 2018-19.

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