The Ottawa Senators have completed their second trade in a span of about 10 minutes, while half of all hockey fans sleep, by dealing away Braydon Coburn. The New York Islanders will receive the veteran defenseman for the low, low price of a seventh-round draft pick in 2022.
#Isles Transaction: The New York Islanders have acquired Braydon Coburn from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for the Islanders seventh round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft. https://t.co/Y3Qy3uk2Tp
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 12, 2021
Islanders Bolster Depth with Braydon Coburn
The veteran of 980 NHL games, Coburn leaves a basement-dwelling Senators team for an Islanders squad gunning for a Stanley Cup run. Just last year, the Islanders went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before their season came to an end. This marks their second move to date as we near the NHL trade deadline, as they also added Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils.
Coburn brings a ton of experience to the Islanders blue line. Last year, though he only played three total games, he was a part of the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup-winning roster. That experience with a winning team will be very much appreciated in Long Island.
What This Means for the Islanders
Playing in 16 games thus far, Coburn has scored just two assists. But it is not his offence where he provides value. His 1,408 career hits, with 25 coming this season, is where he brings value. Add that with his 1,154 career blocks, with 14 this season alone, and you have a defenseman who will put his body on the line for his team.
Playing that rough-around-the-edges style, especially in a system run by Barry Trotz, and you have a very good fit. Coburn may not draw into many games for the Islanders, hence the low price that they had to pay, but when he gets a look, he should be very reliable.
Make sure to keep up with all breaking news with us at Last Word on Hockey. Thank you for reading!
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
