The Islanders rebounded from a blah road trip and a worse return home by shutting out the Flyers \u2014 with a goal from each special team! \u2014 but the most interesting news of the day was confirmation that they were making a trade\u2026with the {plugs nose} Rangers, of all teams. They acquired pending UFA defenseman Carson Soucy for a 2026 third-round pick, an interesting move for a few reasons:<\/p>\n
In the \u201csell, or compete?\u201d debate on whether to reward a team that has exceeded expectations, Mathieu Darche effectively answers it with: We\u2019ll fill the injury hole, but not at a crazy price. A third-round pick is modest, but effectively a premium for doing the deal now rather than at the deadline. However, you hope the news for right-side D-man Ryan Pulock is truly just \u201cday to day\u201d rather than something more serious to prompt this reinforcement.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m in the camp of enjoying this season\u2019s surprises while not hoping they spend too much on trying to beef this team up for a playoff push, but solidifying the blueline at this price is a reasonable move. It\u2019ll be fun to watch to see if Soucy makes a difference.<\/p>\n
There would not seem to be roster room to re-sign him even if he loves it and things work out great, so this probably becomes only a short-term marriage of convenience. Plus, Soucy gets to enjoy a few months of playing in front of a better goalie. He is a short-term Ranger \u2014 acquired last year for a third-round pick \u2014 so the Stench of Ranger should be mild for him.<\/p>\n
Hey Carson, come with us \u2014 however this goes, you\u2019re certain to enjoy a more fun locker room than that toxic stew Drury\u2019s got going on Short Island.<\/p>\n