Islanders may be forced to make a change with Zdeno Chara.

The New York Islanders took something of a low risk gamble in the offseason, but at least one observer believes that so far the gamble has failed to pay off.

I am of course referring to the decision made by veteran Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello to sign veteran defenseman Zdeno Chara as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Chara is one of the most well respected players at any position in the National Hockey League, but the reality of the situation is that he is 44 years old, very old for a player by the standards of the NHL.

In a recent article published for the New Yorker, Islanders reporter Andrew Gross argued that the Islanders have several options within the organization that could replace or even surpass Chara on the team's depth chart. Gross listed 3 players that he believes could potentially leapfrog Chara as the team's 6th defenseman, all of whom the Islanders wouldn't have to give up a thing for.

From Gross(emphasis our own):

Sebastian Aho, a perennial prospect who is now 25, is on the roster as a seventh defenseman. Robin Salo, a second-round pick in 2017 in his first North American season, has a goal and three assists in six games for the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport and was a standout in training camp. Samuel Bolduc, a second-round pick in 2019, has played two games for Bridgeport after missing the preseason with an injury.
All are lefthanded shots like Chara.

While observers on the outside may believe that a change needs to be made on the Islanders blue line, thus far it would appear as though the team remains reluctant to do so. Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has been asked on more than one occasion about the play of his aging defenseman this season and has continued to defend him in the media.

"I’m not worried about him," said Trotz. "He’s an elite person and an elite athlete and he’s still very fit for his age. He prepares as well as anybody."

If Chara does indeed get bumped down the depth chart it will be worth watching to see if he is willing to play out what could be his final season in the NHL on the sidelines.