Islanders News: The Ross Johnston move is made
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The long-serving, seldom used utility man makes the opening roster, but only on paper before hitting waivers. The New York Islanders’ final maneuvers for their season-opening roster appeared to revolve around Simon Holmstrom and Ross Johnston, and on Monday they made a long-awaited move.
Yes, they assigned Holmstrom to Bridgeport — on paper, at least — but they also waived Johnston, a player on a long contract who rarely appeared in Barry Trotz’s lineup, rarer still under current coach Lane Lambert.
Holmstrom, meanwhile, continued to practice with a regular turn on the NHL squad, and he may have even earned first crack at wing on the top line.
#Isles confirm Simon Holmstrom is, as of right now, assigned to Bridgeport (AHL). He was the only waiver-exempt forward on the roster. Today, Lane Lambert said of Holmstrom (who again skated on the top line at practice: "I think he's played well..He's a pretty good fit there."— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) October 9, 2023
Islanders News
Officially, the roster which was due to the league yesterday looks like this, though note that Johnston was placed on waivers:
FORWARDS (14)
Mathew BarzalCasey CizikasCal ClutterbuckPierre EngvallHudson FaschingJulien GauthierBo HorvatRoss JohnstonAnders LeeMatt MartinBrock NelsonJean-Gabriel PageauKyle PalmieriOliver Wahlstrom
DEFENSEMEN (7)
Sebastian AhoSamuel BolducNoah DobsonScott MayfieldAdam PelechRyan PulockAlexander Romanov
GOALTENDERS (2)
Ilya SorokinSemyon Varlamov
Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall, the key additions since a year ago this time, experienced their first Islanders training camp. [Isles]
Dan and Mike discuss camp stories and the season ahead on the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast. [LHH]
Following knee surgery, Oliver Wahlstrom is still playing catch-up. [Post]
Nine of 13 games at home to open season is a refreshing change from the past few years. Don’t blow it, guys. [Post]
Matt Martin on Johnston likely being off the team: “Unfortunately, no matter who it is, you’re losing a friend,” Martin said. “It’s a shitty part of this business. But that’s just the nature of the beast.” [THN]
Couple days ago in Islanders history: Brent Sutter was named captain. [Isles]
The Islanders have a thin prospect pool, but what did the top young candidates show at this year’s camp? [THN]
Elsewhere
That seems like a lot: The Sabres extended Rasmus Dahlin for 8 years, $88 million. [AP]
In a bit of a shock, the Jets were able to re-sign Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck to identical seven-year, $8.5 million AAV extensions. [Sportsnet]
What, exactly, are the Ducks doing? The Senators reclaimed Lassi Thomson off waivers from Anaheim. [TSN]
One “bold” prediction for each team heading into 2023-24. [Sportsnet]
Three long-serving Penguins will break some made-up record I know you don’t care about. [NHL]
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