Islanders Aggressively Trying to Improve Critical Area

The New York Islanders are reportedly aggressively shopping to improve a critical area on their roster.

Nov 12, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The New York Islanders celebrate a goal scored by forward Anders Lee (27) during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images / Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders are currently in the middle of a jam-packed race for the Metropolitan Division. With four teams in the division sitting in the top-10 of the league's overall standings, making headway is proving to be a difficult task.

It isn't helped by the fact that the Islanders are decimated on their blue line. They are currently without Adam Pelech, Alexander Romanov, and Mike Reilly, three of their top six defenders. Each played a critical role that the team is struggling to fill, which is why the team has been appearing more and more in trade rumors and discussions.

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, it isn't just speculation anymore. Appearing on TSN recently, he shared some updates from a recent conversation he had with the Islanders' general manager, Lou Lamoriello. He asked the GM about the trade chatter and if he was making any calls on the matter. Lamoriello's response was cryptic, but left plenty of room for interpretation.

"I asked Lamoriello if he's working the phones," he said. "You know that Lou's careful with those answers, Jay. But what he did say was that, like a lot of teams, he's making sure that he's making those calls."

For LeBrun, this was enough to corroborate what he's been hearing around the league. The Islanders are in business and aggressively pursuing options to improve their team.

"As we know from what we're hearing elsewhere," LeBrun stated. "The Islanders are calling pretty aggressively as well trying to upgrade their blue line with all those injuries."

In the meantime, the Islanders are hoping to continue climbing the divisional standings. The team is currently in fifth place with a record of 6-6-4 record through 16 games. But it's clear that the team is aggressively pursuing upgrades to their blue line, a position that desperately needs some reinforcement.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway OnSI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more! 

• Canadiens Prospect Setting Huge Goals for Himself
• Utah Jerseys To Go On Sale For First Time
• Ryan Kesler Regrets Decision, Hopes to Retire a Canuck
• Bruins Lose Key Defenseman For Multiple Weeks
• Capitals Rekindling Stanley Cup Team