NHL Rumors: Five teams that should sign Keith Yandle

4. New York Islanders

If Yandle doesn’t re-sign with the Rangers, there’s a team in Brooklyn that would love to add him to their roster: the New York Islanders. The Islanders desperately need to build a contender while captain John Tavares is still relatively cheap. Yandle would certainly help the Islanders accomplish that goal.

The Islanders struggled last season to get production from their blue line. Nick Leddy had a nice season with 40 points in 81 games, but after him, the only other Islanders defenseman to finish in the top 10 in points on the team was Johnny Boychuk (25 points). If the Islanders want to win the Stanley Cup, that has to change. Yandle would have been their leading scorer last season and would add a dynamic force to their only slightly above average power play as well.

Their blue line struggles go far beyond production. They have also struggled to move the puck effectively. Boychuk started to show his age the first year into a long-term deal with the Islanders. That’s not good. The Islanders need Keith Yandle.

New York can certainly afford to give him the $6.5 million average annual value that he is likely going to seek. Would that be overpaying for Keith Yandle? Yes. But Yandle is a guy who is worth overpaying for when you consider what he can do with the puck.

Next: 3. Buffalo Sabres