NHL Rumors: 2 PTO Options for the NY Islanders

Patrick Roy & the Islanders could be looking at a couple of familiar faces on PTOs

The New York Islanders have made a number of moves this offseason, but the biggest headline-grabber was the sign-and-trade of Noah Dobson, sending the young defenseman to the Montreal Canadiens armed with an eight-year, $76 million contract ($9.5M AAV).

And while No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, turning 18 in exactly one month, is hopefully a big addition to the blueline, there is a potential spot open on defense for the Islanders to get some competition going at training camp.

With that, Russ Macias of NYI Hockey Now would be surprised if there isn't "at least one" player brought into camp on the backline on a Professional Tryout contract (PTO).

It makes too much sense not to at least bring in a player for competition’s sake. Some options could include old friends Travis Hamonic (RD) or Calvin de Haan (LD).

Both are familiar faces, as each player was drafted by, and began their careers with the Islanders.

de Haan is the more likely of the two, as the former first-round pick (12th overall, 2009 NHL Draft), plays the left side, which, Macias suggests, "makes more sense" for another body to come in.

The 34-year-old played the first six seasons of his career on the Island, and was a consistent 'plus' contributor in plus/minus rating, in a top-four role. He averaged just a tick under 20 minutes of ice time a night in those six years. He blocked 687 shots in 304 games.

Nowadays, de Haan is more of a depth defenseman, which is really all the Isles are looking for, and he could provide a reliable option in that role, along with leadership contributions.

Hamonic was a second-round pick, and spent the first seven years of his NHL journey with the Islanders. Another strong defender who played a top-four role for quite some time in New York, he's also now just a depth option. But again, at 35, he can provide leadership and some solid defensive play in a limited role. He's blocked over 1,700 shots in a 900-game career over 15 seasons.