Rumor: Top D-man hits the trade market!

Tis the season and the New York Islanders are also amongst NHL teams looking for an upgrade. Arthur Staple of Newsday believes the Isles should look for help in goal, speculating head coach Doug Weight would prefer a netminder who can take over the reins full-time.

Thomas Griess and Jaroslav Halak have been used back in forth, but neither is acting like a full-time starter the team can count on. 

However, Staples does not think the Islanders will find a solution "in the trade market “aside from some obvious, flawed candidates (Kari Lehtonen, maybe Jimmy Howard, Curtis McElhinney)”.

While it might be hard for New York to get something from the trade market, Staples believes they are about to place a top defenseman on the block, and many teams will come knocking. The Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Washington Capitals have made it clear they need to bolster their blue line and the Isles might have a great option for them.

Defenseman Calvin de Haan, a pending unrestricted free agent at season’s end, might get dealt at the trade deadline to make room for a promising youngster such as Devon Toews and Sebastian Aho.

In 16 games with the Isles, de Haan, who was selected in the first round, 12th overall by the Isles in 2009, has amassed six assists and has registered a +6 plus minus rating. 

It will be interesting to see the asking price on de Haan, and what the Isles can get in return.