Three Low-Risk Depth Defense Options the New York Islanders Should Consider

With summer winding down for the New York Islanders, players and coaches are gradually turning their focus to training camp. As training camp approaches, the prospect of inviting free agents to camp on Professional Tryouts (PTOs) looms on the horizon. 

Overall, the Isles look solid up front. While the club could always add more depth scoring, the most pressing area for concern is the blue line. For starters, there’s doubt regarding Scott Mayfield’s return to the lineup.  

Also, there may be some concern regarding Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock’s health heading into the season.  

If blueline injuries become an issue once again this season, the New York Islanders need to have a plan in place to address the situation. So, here’s a look at three depth defense options the New York Islanders should consider. 

Three Depth Defense Options the New York Islanders Should Consider 

Kevin Shattenkirk 

Shattenkirk was once a dynamic top-pairing defenseman who commanded a presence on the power play. However, his play has gradually declined to the point where he was a depth defense option for the Boston Bruins last season. 

According to PuckPedia, Shattenkirk signed with the Bruins for roughly $1 million. That sort of cap hit would work well for the Isles, especially if Mayfield is not ready for the start of the season. 

Moreover, if Shattenkirk fails to live up to expectations, waiving him wouldn’t be a complicated proposition.  

Tyson Barrie 

Like Shattenkirk, Barrie was once a high-end defenseman. While still relatively young at 33, Barrie has recently fallen on some hard times.  

Barrie spent last season with the Nashville Predators, playing 41 games and tallying 15 points. He is no longer that top-end defenseman he once was with the Colorado Avalanche. Nevertheless, Barrie could work out very well on the bottom pairing. 

Contract-wise, Barrie is coming off a $4.5 million cap hit, per PuckPedia. This time around, he won’t be getting anything close to that cap hit. Perhaps a one-year, show-me deal closer to league minimum could help motivate Barrie to prove he’s still got gas left in the tank. 

Mark Giordano 

The former Norris Trophy winner spent parts of the last three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. While 40, Giordano has become a type of age-less wonder.  

Of course, Giordano is no longer the top-pairing defenseman he was with the Calgary Flames. Still, Giordano brings over 1,100 games of NHL experience and a hard-nosed, gritty attitude.  

Giordano could easily join the New York Islanders on a league-minimum deal, bolstering the depth on the blue line, especially if any regulars need time off to rest, recover, or heal. 

There’s one other benefit to bringing Giordano into the fold: He’s a former captain. As such, Giordano can contribute as a veteran leadership presence on the club, further assisting in young player development.