The frenzy-fest leading to Monday’s NHL trade deadline got a major boost Friday when Columbus acquired pending free agent Matt Duchene from the Ottawa Senators, while the Washington Capitals acquired defenseman Nick Jensen from the Detroit Red Wings.
The Islanders are essentially set and healthy on their blueline, so the Jensen move doesn’t affect them beyond an upgrade to a Metropolitan Division rival that is only two points behind them in the standings.
The Duchene move, however, has multiple implications for the Islanders: it removes a possible “big fish” target from the market in Duchene, possibly signals that another big fish is off the table — the Blue Jackets may be all the more inclined to hang on to Artemi Panarin and go for it — and improves another Metro rival.