Stocking Up on the Island

The New York Islanders were a very busy team today, as they added pieces to their blue line in two separate trades today.  First, they traded two draft picks plus a conditional pick to the Boston Bruins to get Johnny Boychuk.  They weren't finished, as they acquired Nick Leddy and Kent Simpson from Chicago in exchange for T.J. Brennan, Ville Pokka, and the rights to Anders Nilsson.

Boychuk adds an experienced defenseman who brings size and is a solid player in his own end while Leddy is still young enough to unlock his potential as an offensive defenseman and will be given the opportunity now that he isn't in the shadow of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.  Both are in the final year of their respective deals (with Leddy being a restricted free agent), so the Islanders are going to probably want to secure either or both players before the season is done because they are moving to Brooklyn next season and having an actual defensive unit isn't good just for one year.