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Despite the emergence of Isaiah George and the positive news that Alexander Romanov made the trip out west, the New York Islanders are still in the market for a defenseman.
Related: Columbus Claims Nashville’s Defenseman Dante Fabbro; Why He Wasn’t The Answer To Help Islanders Injured Blueline
Yes, Dennis Cholowski and Grant Hutton have done a serviceable job, but with $9.031 million, potentially $10.28 million in salary-cap space if Mike Reilly ($1.25 M) lands on long-term injured reserve, the Islanders have the financial flexibility to upgrade and bring in a more trustworthy option.
Look no further than Minnesota Wild’s seventh defenseman Jon Merrill.
The 32-year-old left-shot defenseman is a responsible, defensive-minded blue-liner with 622 NHL games under his belt. He is also a solid puck mover and has the ability to play both sides.
Merrill’s played in 10 games this season for Minnesota, with an assist, 12 blocks, six hits, and just one penalty while averaging 13:10 minutes of ice time on a talented Wild team (10-2-3).
On an expiring three-year deal worth $1.2 million annually, Merrill has served as a healthy scratch for their last three games, and likley would cost a mid to late-round draft choice.
Merrill would also be an upgrade over who the Islanders have as extra defensemen right now just because of his stability and trustworthiness — that’s the biggest need for the Islanders right now.
According to NaturalStatrick.com, when Merrill is on the ice, the Wild have an Expected Goals Against Per 60 (xGA/60) of 1.95, which was the third-best on the team.
On the flip side, the Wild’s xGF/60 when Merrill is on the ice is 1.63, which is also third-best on the team.
Merrill does have a connection to Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello.
The Hockey Hall of Fame general manager selected the Oklahoma City native in the second round (No. 38) of the 2010 NHL Draft, acquiring that pick in his blockbuster deal with the Atlanta Thrashers, which saw Ilya Kovalchuk head to Newark on Feb. 4, 2010.
The Devils lost Merrill in the 2017 Vegas Golden Knights Expansion Draft.
Merrill’s expiring contract makes him a perfect candidate for the Islanders right now. If he is available, he would be a strong fit to help stabilize this blue line until they are back to full strength, like we saw last season when Lamoriello acquired Reilly on waivers and Robert Bortuzzo via trade.
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