NHL Rumors: Islanders Haven't Shown Interest In Bringing Back 2 Former Veteran Defensemen

Despite the attraction to veteran players by New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello, it appears as though the defense is finally going to get younger. Andrew Gross, reporter for the Islanders, says, "Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello said there have not been any talks with veteran defensemen Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene for next season."

It was already pushing it that the team would have two veterans that age on the blue line. Chara was 44 and Greene, 39, last season. Though the team doesn't have a ton of prospects pushing for spots, they do have Robin Salo, Sebastian Aho, Bode Wilde, and Dennis Cholowski.

Top 5 #NHL active players in plus/minus:
1. Zdeno Chara: 301
2. Brad Marchand: 263
3. Patrice Bergeron: 254
4. Ryan McDonagh: 215
5. Sidney Crosby: 202

Say what you want about plus/minus as a stat or the but that’s a damn impressive category to lead that commandingly. #NHLBruins
— Andrew Taverna (@andrewtaverna) September 1, 2022

Last season didn't go as planned, and if the team can't return to the postseason, it will be good to give the young defenders more time in the NHL rather than continuing to sign veterans at the end of their careers. Salo is the closest to the NHL and should earn a spot on the third pairing in training camp. The defense will look a lot younger as the oldest player they have on the back-end will be Scott Mayfield (age 29).

It remains to be seen if either Chara or Greene will find a team to play for. Both are reliable defensively and can be signed for league minimum. Retirement is a viable option for both as they have had long and successful careers.