from Andrew Gross of Newsday,
The Islanders need a No. 1 goalie. After allowing an NHL-high 293 goals, they need to shore up their defense corps even after re-signing valuable Thomas Hickey.
Plus, with Tavares off to Toronto, the Islanders suddenly are short an experienced No. 1 center, let alone a captain.
The Islanders have more than $20 million in salary-cap space after dipping into free agency to sign bottom-six forwards Tom Kuhnhackl (Penguins), Leo Komarov (Maple Leafs) and Valtteri Filppula (Flyers).
Calvin de Haan, selected 12th overall by the Islanders in 2009, likely is the most attractive defenseman still available as a free agent and has attracted plenty of attention. A shoulder injury limited him to 33 games with the Islanders last season. He would be valuable to them in a top-four role, but the expectation is he will sign elsewhere.
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