Davidson Adding Depth For Isles

It's not surprising that Jordan Eberle was the first player to reach out to Brandon Davidson when he was acquired by the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Eberle and Davidson have played on three different teams together, starting with a year together on Regina Pats in junior, a half-season with the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons during the 2012 lockout and then parts of three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers.

Now on their fourth stop together, they joke about how they can't shake each other.
"I can't get rid of him," Eberle joked. "We've played every team together. He's a good guy."
But with that familiarity, Eberle has some good insight on the type of defenseman the Islanders picked up.
"He's big and he's strong, he can help us with some net front presence as far as keeping guys away from our goalies and helping them see pucks," Eberle said. "He does a mix of everything well. He can put the puck in the net and he can defend, so he should add an element back there."

Davidson has five points (3G, 2A) in 36 games this season split between Edmonton and Montreal to go along with 81 hits and 64 blocks this season. The physical, defensive work, as well as some minutes on the penalty kill, are what the Islanders are looking for our of the 6'2, 208 lbs. defenseman.
"He's definitely got a lot of strengths in his game," Head Coach Doug Weight said. "Definitely is a good penalty killer, has a mean streak and really good guy in the room. He battles, moves the puck really well and moves his feet well."
Davidson, who will become the first Islander to wear number 88, is averaging 2.3 hits and 1.8 blocks per game. The Islanders have been looking to be in more shooting lanes of late, especially with one of the team's top shot blockers - Calvin de Haan - out for the remainder of the season.

"It's a good mix and really the way we've kind of gone with PK - and our D-zone for that matter - we're getting in front of pucks more and he's willing to do that," Weight said. "You need that depth and we want to be in a position to use it. It's exciting for us, I'm excited to see him play."
Davidson was undrafted heading into junior and a sixth-round pick for the Oilers in 2010, so he has worked for everything in his hockey career. Davidson said he's excited for the opportunity that lays ahead with the Islanders. He feels that his game matches up well with what the Islanders are looking for and he's gone from two teams that are well outside of the playoffs to a team right in the hunt.
"There's a good opportunity for me to play a lot of minutes, to play my game," Davidson said. "I'm a stay-at-home defenseman and I know the help on the PK will be helpful too. I'm going to do my job and I think I can help forsure."
"Being on two teams that weren't in the position we are now. I think it's definitely motivation to elevate my game," he added. "Going into the playoffs that's a good chance to improve and to help this team."

The 26-year-old - who was dealt at last year's trade deadline from Edmonton to Montreal - said he didn't expect to be traded again at the deadline, but said he feels he's played some of his best hockey of late and is excited to get started as an Islander.
"I think just being healthy, being confident about myself. I seemed to have found a groove that I've been happy with and a role I've been relishing," he said. "All of those things kind of contribute to my success and right now I feel that I'm playing great hockey and I can't wait until Wednesday's game."