Islanders can take advantage of Bruins cap crunch to acquire defense

Derek Forbort

Derek Forbort is the least attractive of the Bruins regular blue liners that the Islanders could acquire. He's on the same exact contract as Reilly but provides less in terms of on-ice production.

Forbort is good in his own end preventing goals-against but offers very little in the offensive zone. In 76 games, Forbort tallied four goals and 14 points. Not great, but he's a defensive defenseman that played mostly bottom pair minutes. He's not a top-four option, but if the Islanders need a bottom pairing skater to round out the third pair he could probably be plucked. However, his $3 million cap hit for the next two seasons is likely a little rich for what he provides. If the Bruins really want to move him, they'd have to retain some salary which is probably counterproductive to what they need to do this offseason in terms of shedding salary.

The highlight of Forbort's season came in the playoffs in the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes. In Game 3 of the first-round matchup, Forbort laid his body on the line blocking nine shots. That's the kind of player you'll get in Forbort. A poor man's Johnny Boychuk if you will. As a bottom pair option in an "if all else fails" situation, Forbort would be fine as a third pair skater, but only if the Islanders can lower his $3 million cap hit.

The Bruins have too many left-shot defensemen signed up for the 2022-23 season. Despite the number of surgeries they'll have this offseason, those players will eventually return and the Bruins need cap space. The Bergeron contract remains a question and even if he doesn't return whether it's for another team or retirement, the Bruins will need a center. Swayman will surely get a raise as well, and next summer David Pastrnak's contract will be up.

Lamoriello can take advantage of the Bruins cap crunch issue and acquire himself a very necessary defenseman for next season. The Islanders play a similar defensive style as the Bruins, so Grzelcyk or Reilly would fit in seamlessly. Forbort too, but Lamoriello could upgrade his top-four with the two former skaters.