The New Jersey Devils aren’t waiting until the trade deadline to start selling. The Islanders landed Devils captain Andy Greene in a trade on Sunday, and New Jersey may end up making more moves soon.
Islanders trade for Greene, Devils’ return highlighted by second-rounder
The Islanders treasure defense and grit under Barry Trotz. The Islanders got what they wanted, then, in a trade for Greene.
Chances are, Lou Lamoriello looks at Greene as a replacement for injured blueliner Adam Pelech.
The Devils? Well, they landed a pretty nice haul for a defenseman who wouldn’t make sense for their rebuild. That should soothe any discomfort that may come from sending Greene in a trade to the rival Islanders.
Islanders receive in trade: Greene, 37, on an expiring contract ($5M AAV); no word yet if there was salary retention
Devils get: 2021 Islanders second-round pick, prospect David Quenneville
Greene doesn’t blow you away offensively, by any means, with two goals and 11 points in 53 games. Greene also isn’t an analytics darling.
The Islanders march to the beat of their own drum, though, so this Hockey Viz heat map won’t phase them:
Greene fits the Islanders’ M.O. of being an experienced, defense-first (second, and third) player.
One interesting part of the gamble is that it’s a 2021 second-rounder, rather than the Islanders’ 2020. Will the Islanders be a better team in 2020-21, or could recent stumbles indicate a bumpier future? The Devils will be rooting for the Islanders slip like the Senators watching the Sharks this season.
Quenneville, 21, was a seventh-round pick (200th overall) in 2016.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that Blake Coleman isn’t suiting up for Sunday’s game, inspiring new rumblings.
Speculation swirling around the New Jersey Devils. Told Blake Coleman isn’t playing tonight and further speculation suggests he may have left the arena. It’s the time of year when this stuff matters.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 16, 2020
MORE: PHT’s 2020 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker
—
James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.