The New York Islanders looked to shake up their recent funk with some roster adjustments that some felt was inevitably coming.
The New York Islanders stumbled into 2018.
An extended home stretch saw the Islanders go 3-1-1, only to drop the next two road games to the Winnipeg Jets and the Colorado Avalanche, with the latter ending in an ejection for Head Coach Doug Weight.
Closing out 2017 with two ugly road losses (and a six-game winless streak on the road) was a less-than-ideal scenario, and General Manager Garth Snow and company began to make some well-needed adjustments.
#Isles send Anthony Beauvillier and Steve Bernier to BPT.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) January 1, 2018
Beauvillier’s Assignment
Anthony Beauvillier was finally re-assigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as many fans and pundits alike have been speculating for sometime. In 31 games this season, Beauvillier has four goals and seven points, certainly disappointing for the 2015 first-round draft pick.
While some see this as a demotion of sorts for the 20-year-old, consistent playing time in the American League with other rookies such as Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle should only benefit Beauvillier, and at the very least far more than sitting in the press box or playing on the fourth line.
If anything, Beauvillier should see an opportunity to raise his game. Considering his point total, time in the NHL hasn’t been able to raise his game, so a shakeup could be just what he’ll need to get on track.
Steve Bernier will be accompanying Beauvillier down, as he will return to the Sound Tigers after playing four games for the Islanders (no points, -2 rating in four NHL games, 14 points and plus-four in 21 AHL games).
#Isles recall Tanner Fritz from BPT.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) January 1, 2018
Welcome, Tanner Fritz
In 2015-16, Tanner Fritz signed out of Ohio State University with the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL where he scored 10 goals and 33 points in 43 games to earn himself a tryout contract with the Sound Tigers in the same year. In March of 2017 he signed a two-way contract, and now less than a year later he finds himself entering the NHL and making his debut against the Boston Bruins.
Fritz: "I'm excited. I've worked very hard to get to this position & hopefully I can take advantage of the opportunity. I just want to play the same way I was playing in Bridgeport with a lot of pace, speed, energy, finish my checks, play a smart 200 ft game & help the team win.” pic.twitter.com/NkD49r1j63
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 2, 2018
Fritz’s recall likely serves a couple of different purposes. For one, it’s a clear message that hard work is rewarded, and make no mistake — Fritz has earned the opportunity to break into the NHL. For another, it demonstrates to your Ho-Sang’s and Dal Colle’s that a recall isn’t something made purely based around skill-level, it’s about maturation and a better understanding of the game in general.
It’s why the Islanders recalled someone like Bernier in the first place — a straightforward shoe-in and a veteran who knows the game well and the Islanders know what they’re getting from him.
Plus, if that whole “fourth-line” trial really worked, wouldn’t the Islanders still have — dare I even say it — guys like Nino Niederreiter?
