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The New York Islanders want to beef up their defense.

The New York Islanders want to beef up their defense.

The New York Islanders have quickly become one of the most injured teams in the NHL after recently announcing four new injuries. Of those four names missing from the Islanders roster, three are defensemen.

With Adam Pelech expected to be out for at least a month, Mike Rielly and Alex Romanov are just playing day-to-day, but that isn’t stopping the Islanders from considering a trade or two. According to Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman in Saturday’s headlines, these injuries have the Islanders looking to the NHL.

“We’re starting to wonder about the Islanders and their injuries,” Friedman said. “It is believed that the islanders are at least looking around.”

With three key defensemen missing and all three being left blue forwards, the Islanders are in need of help. They remembered some faces to fill the void, but are looking for stronger reinforcement.

“They don’t have three defensemen,” Friedman said. “Adam Pelech, unfortunately, for quite a long time… More of everyday life for Mike Rielly and Alexander Romanov, but at least they’re sniffing around to see what’s there.”

There doesn’t seem to be anything imminent for the Islanders to move either, but they aren’t afraid to keep the trade market open after some league moves early in the season.

The Utah Hockey Club acquired Olli Maatta after they lost several defensemen to injury, and the San Jose Sharks acquired Timothy Liljegren because the Toronto Maple Leafs needed room to move him.

Defense has been the primary focus so far this NHL season, and the Islanders could be next in line with a suddenly depleted blue line.

These defenders are also joined by key forwards on the shelf. The Islanders announced that Mata Barzal is on the same schedule as Pelech, with recently acquired forward Anthony Duclair already out due to his own injury.

The Islanders are 4-5-2 in 11 games and are looking for another shot at the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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