The New York Islanders knew (heading into the 2018 offseason) they needed to address the overall defense and the recent contracts doled out indicate a transition year for a developing blueline.
Starting with Thomas Hickey’s contract extension at the beginning of free agency and most recently with Ryan Pulock’s new deal, it seems that Lou Lamoriello’s response to the league’s worst goals-allowed numbers may just come from inside the organization.
As of right now, the Islanders will ice the same group of defenders from last season minus Calvin de Haan, the newest member of the Carolina Hurricanes.