The Biggest Reason The Islanders Didn't Trade A Defenseman

From Adam Pelech to Alexander Romanov, here's why the Islanders weren't ready to subtract from their blue line despite calls for change.

The New York Islanders weren’t expected to make major changes to their roster this summer. And, outside of a few depth moves, general manager Mathieu Darche didn’t.

There were many fans who wanted the organization to shake up its blue line, given that the lack of defensive structure and play in front of Vezina finalist Ilya Sorokin had been one of the team’s biggest issues since Barry Trotz was relieved of his duties following the 2021-22 season.

Instead, the Islanders chose to re-sign Tony DeAngelo to a two-year contract worth $2.75 million annually, which wasn’t necessarily the wrong move given how bad things turned when No. 77 missed time down the stretch with the season on the line.

Those trade voices only grew louder after Darche and head coach Pete DeBoer said 22-year-old defenseman Isaiah George would have every opportunity to make the team out of training camp.

While having a youngster who has already shown flashes at the NHL level sit in the press box as the seventh defenseman doesn’t make much sense, the Islanders’ blue line remains crowded.

At first glance, it’s fair to wonder why Darche didn’t move one of his veteran defensemen.

I think the answer has less to do with George or the organization’s other prospects and more to do with Matthew Schaefer.