The New York Islanders are likely to invite Dennis Seidenberg to camp on a PTO to add a defensive veteran presence.
A depleted defensive core would do well by taking a gamble on an experienced defensive presence.While the team hasn’t formally announced anything yet, it seems likely the 37-year-old veteran will join the team.
Seidenberg was given a 1-year deal by the New York Islanders in 2016 during the World Cup of Hockey during Team Europe’s impressive run. In his first 12 games with the Islanders, Seidenberg had four goals and eight points and finished the season with 22 points and a +25 rating.
The 2017-18 season, however, was not as kind to him. Serving largely as the seventh defenseman, Seidenberg played just 28 games and had five assists with a minus-nine rating.
Depleted as the Islanders defense currently is, a PTO for a reliable veteran can’t hurt. What does hurt is that this has been the only significant move on the blueline after such a porous season.
Aside from losing Calvin de Haan and re-signing Thomas Hickey, the Islanders did not make many changes to a young group they placed a lot of trust in.
Should Seidenberg be given a contract as well, it begs the question on whose job is lost based on that acquisition. The Islanders already have an excess of forwards with concern that it could leave players such as Kieffer Bellows or Josh Ho-Sang from the lineup.
For now, Seidenberg may have a chance to play what could be his last year in the NHL.