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New York Islanders: Even more minor signings for Bridgeport

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New York Islanders

The New York Islanders have continued to sign all their free agents, and none of them are named Mat Barzal or Ryan Pulock. Most recently, the Islanders have been resigning all their guys in the minors. Seth Hegelson, Jeff Kubiak, Erik Brown, and Nick Pastujov have all signed minor deals. I’m actually a fan of building up the Soundtigers. I mean, Brent Thompson can’t ruin every player if he can’t keep track of all of them. In all seriousness, though, these are moves that are important to roster building. And some of these guys do have potential.

Seth Helgeson

Seth Helgeson will never make the NHL. That is not a knock at his playing ability, the real reason why is because he’s 30 years old. But that doesn’t mean he can’t make a big impact in Bridgeport. Helgeson was one of the assistant captains last year for Bridgeport, a role he’s served well for 3 years. Helgeson recorded 10 points and a team-high 95 penalty minutes. You could call him a goon, but that’s a bit of a disservice. Helgeson will help the younger defenseman develop, and that’s really all he’s there for.

Jeff Kubiak

Jeff Kubiak does have a shot at cracking an NHL roster with a good AHL season, it just won’t be for the Islanders. Kubiak is 26 years old and is not what the Islanders need. I look at Kubiak as an off-brand version of Leo Komarov. And the Isles need goal scorers, not more bottom 6 forwards who can only grind. Kubiak could make an NHL roster, but not on the Island.

Erik Brown

I actually do have a lot of hope for Erik Brown. If given the chance, Brown could light the lamps every other night in the AHL. I was a big fan of him when he was playing for RIT, and it’s because of his goal-scoring abilities. Every time he had the puck in the offensive zone, I truly believe he was going to score. Brent Thompson better develop Brown correctly, a possible diamond in the rough.

Nick Pastujov

A 7th round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Pastujov has found his way to Bridgeport. Even if Pastujov plays well enough to be traded for some return value, the organization would’ve hit on this late pick. Pastujov has a lot of unrealized potentials, and he needs to start grinding right now. No one wants to be buried in an AHL roster, but this may end up being the case. Coming into his final year at Michigan, he guaranteed a breakout year. And then continued to regress in his development. I don’t know what Pastujov has to fix, but he has to fix his game now.

New York Islanders: Will Noah Dobson Get the Starting Spot Next Year?

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New York Islanders, Noah Dobson

New York Islanders‘ defenseman Noah Dobson is close to NHL ready. There’s one problem for Dobson, though; there’s a million other defensemen on the roster. The Islanders have established defensemen like Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk. Both of those defenders have long, expensive contracts. This makes them hard to trade and lowers Dobson’s chances of starting a lot.  How can Noah Dobson start next year?

Have a Strong Training Camp

Training camp is a time for unproven draft picks, old veterans, and undrafted free agents to show that they have what it takes. Noah Dobson is no different. Just because he was the number 12th overall pick doesn’t mean he gets a hall pass. Dobson has to give it his all on every single rep and take the spot away. Last year, general manager Lou Lamoriello has stated that he would give Dobson every shot to make the team. It won’t be as hard to make the team for Dobson, but it will still be a challenge, especially if he wants to be in the top 6. Sliding in with Nick Leddy or whoever stays around isn’t a gift; he will have to earn every minute.

Trading Talent

There are a few defenders that need to go if Noah Dobson wants a shot of making the team. Nick Leddy has the most trade value out of all those defenders. If the Islanders can unload Nick Leddy off for someone like Tomas Tatar, Dobson moves up in the depth chart. Johnny Boychuk already has one foot in the grave. Andy Greene took his spot for the playoffs indefinitely. Boychuk doesn’t have much trade value; he’s old and costs a lot of money. It would be nice for the Islanders to trade Boychuk due to cap space problems, but it’s unlikely.

Conclusion

Noah Dobson has a good shot to start next year, but he has to work for it. There are many obstacles in front of him, but adversity builds character.