#Isles Transaction: The New York Islanders have agreed to terms on a two-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contract with Travis St. Denis.
Details: https://t.co/IrW47uvr12 pic.twitter.com/5DjXUihTkW
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 8, 2018
A career-best year from Travis St. Denis has earned him his first two-way contract with the New York Islanders.
Tuesday afternoon, the New York Islanders announced that they have signed forward Travis St. Denis to a two-year, two-way contract.
In his second professional season St. Denis led the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, in scoring. In 74 games, the 25-year-old scored 23 goals and 44 points, giving him a total of 35 goals and 64 points in 124 career AHL games.
St. Denis’ reached career highs in almost every category in 2017-18 including games played (74), goals (23), assists (21), power play goals (11), and shots on goal (169); He also matched his career-high in game-winning/go-ahead goals with four.
Before joining the Sound Tigers, the undrafted forward played all four years at Quinnipiac University, serving as an alternate captain in his senior campaign.
The five-foot-seven, 170-pound forward, who saw time at both center and right wing, makes up for his lack of size with ability and skill.
With captain John Tavares‘ future still up in the air, the Islanders could be looking to add another center to the roster for the 2018-19 season.
Besides Tavares, the Islanders have Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Casey Cizikas and Brock Nelson on the roster as centers. Josh Bailey, Jordan Eberle and Alan Quine have also spent time in the middle of the ice during their respective careers.
While St. Denis certainly wouldn’t replace Tavares if he departs as a free agent, he could be in the mix for a roster spot coming off a strong showing for Bridgeport. With his speed, perhaps he’s another Jason Blake in the making?
Blake, if you recall, wasn’t a physically intimidating presence on the ice either, standing just five-foot-10 and weighing 190 pounds. But he used his speed to his advantage, becoming an annoyance to the opposition.
At the very least, St. Denis provides the Islanders with organizational depth and some insurance should one of the forwards with the big club be lost to injury.
