Over the weekend, the Islanders made a pair of trades that improved their roster. Entering the season, the biggest question was their defense. With Calvin de Haan starting on injured reserve, general manager Garth Snow addressed a need by taking advantage of unique cap situations in Boston and Chicago.

The first move saw him acquire proven vet Johnny Boychuk from the Bruins for three draft picks. The 30-year old blueliner is coming off his best season setting career bests in assists (18), points (23) and plus/minus (31) while playing his usual physical style (158 hits and 151 blocked shots). In the final year of a contract that pays him $3.5 million, Boychuk became a victim of numbers in Boston once they re-signed Torey Krug and Reilly Smith. A character player who can add stability and necessary experience, he should be a good fit. He’ll relieve some pressure from shutdown D Travis Hamonic.

In a brilliant second deal, Snow pried away Nick Leddy from the Blackhawks along with goalie Kent Simpson for D prospect Ville Pokka, T.J. Brennan and the rights to goalie Anders Nilsson. Still just 23, the smooth skating Leddy is coming off a solid ’13-14 in which he tallied seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points with a plus-10 rating and four power play goals. Twice, he’s gone over 30 points and should give the Isles an offensive boost. With Lubomir Visnovsky expected to run the power play, Leddy gives coach Jack Capuano another option. Like Boychuk, he’s in the last year of a deal and will earn $3.4 million this season. However, he’ll turn restricted next summer unlike Boychuk, who’ll become a UFA.

By boosting their back end, the Isles have improved their chances in a tough Metropolitan Division. It also allows the organization to be patient with former number one pick Griffin Reinhart and Kevin Czuczman. Once de Haan returns, a D corps of Hamonic, Visnovsky, Boychuk, Leddy, Brian Strait and Thomas Hickey is more formidable. In what’s the final season at Nassau Coliseum, Snow has finally given Capuano a roster capable of competing for the postseason. With Jaroslav in goal and John Tavares leading the charge, they should be much improved.