Report: Islanders To Sign Veteran Defenseman Seidenberg
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's never a bad idea to have veteran defensemen at your disposal.
That appears to be the thinking of the Islanders, who, according to numerous reports, will sign former Stanley Cup winner Dennis Seidenberg to a one-year contract.
Seidenberg is currently playing for Team Europe in the World Cup of Hockey championship round against Canada. He is expected to sign with the Islanders shortly and eventually report to training camp on Long Island.
Expect Dennis Seidenberg is sign with the Islanders and join the team after the World Cup.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 28, 2016
Several teams were said to be pursuing the 35-year-old blueliner, but he ultimately chose the Islanders, likely because they reportedly offered him $1 million for the 2016-17 season.
The move makes sense for the Isles in that veteran top-four defenseman Johnny Boychuk is dealing with an injury that could limit him throughout the rest of the preseason and perhaps early in the regular season, which for the Islanders begins on Oct. 13 against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Don't believe this is a response to a possible long-term Boychuk injury, simply adding to depth. Seidenberg can play both sides.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) September 28, 2016
A native of Schwenningen, Germany, Seidenberg will join a crowded defense corps, and could crack the top six even if Boychuk is healthy. The Isles' projected top five also includes Nick Leddy, Travis Hamonic, Thomas Hickey and Calvin de Haan, with youngsters Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield hoping to get some meaningful minutes as the season progresses.
Known for his rugged style of play, Seidenberg was Boychuk's defense partner on Boston's Stanley Cup-winning team in 2010-11, and played in 61 games for the Bruins last season before his contract was bought out in June. He has 39 goals and 224 points in 785 career regular season games.