In preparation for their matinee against the Rangers on Jan. 13, the New York Islanders recalled three rookies from Bridgeport, Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Dal Colle and Sebastian Aho.
For Michael Dal Colle, the opportunity to debut in the NHL, let alone against the New York Islanders’ biggest rival in one of the largest markets in the league is simply a dream come true.
But in reality, it goes deeper than that.
#Isles Transactions: Anthony Beauvillier and Michael Dal Colle have been emergency recalled from Bridgeport. Sebastian Aho has been recalled from Bridgeport.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 11, 2018
Among the call-ups is Anthony Beauvillier, who was also emergency recalled, and Sebastian Aho, who was recalled on a normal basis for the ailing Johnny Boychuk. Before the Islanders’ break, three Islanders’ rookies were loaned back to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
#Isles Transactions: Sebastian Aho, Tanner Fritz and Anthony Beauvillier have been loaned to Bridgeport.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 7, 2018
Tanner Fritz played in three games for the Islanders (no points, minus-one rating) and remains in Bridgeport after sniffing some NHL action.
The Emergency Recalls
Beauvillier rejoins the Islanders, again, after playing three games in the AHL for the Sound Tigers. Beauvillier netted two goals, both against the Rochester Americans in a 3-2 OT loss.
Some fans, myself included, have wanted to see Beauvi spend some time in the AHL. Beauvillier definitely has the skill sets and the proper work mentality to succeed in the NHL, but—what are likely confidence issues—have been keeping him from finding consistent success. After his initial call-up, Beauvillier scored a goal in his first game back against the New Jersey Devils, a 5-4 shootout win for the Islanders.
Michael Dal Colle could make his first NHL appearance on January 13 against the Rangers depending on how Andrew Ladd is feeling come game time. The 2014 fifth-overall pick leaves Connor Bleackley as the only member of the 2014 first-round draft class who has yet to play a single NHL game.
The move to recall Dal Colle could also mean something else—the organization wants to get his feet wet in the NHL to possibly increase his trade value. It’s no secret that Dal Colle has struggled throughout his journey to try and crack the Islanders’ NHL roster, and adding rookies like Mathew Barzal and Beauvillier has only made it harder for him.
With the word out on Brock Nelson being on the trade block, and with Dal Colle’s status on the roster chart, the organization would likely want to find a way to raise his stock in search of a top-four defenseman.
Having Dal Colle start in Saturday’s matinee would do just that.
Sebastian Aho also returns to the lineup full-time and the only one of three rookies to be back on a regular recall basis. Aho has shown as many flashes of greatness as he has inexperience, having netted his first NHL goal against the Devils and a two-point night to boot.
How the Islanders proceed from here will be answered in time, and their decisions against the Rangers could affect more than just the game at hand.
